Claims of three Istanbul municipalities switching to AKP: Critical date is August 14

Claims that some CHP-run municipalities in Istanbul will switch to the AKP have returned to the political agenda. According to the allegations, contacts with the AKP for the Tuzla, Çekmeköy, and Şile municipalities have progressed; the switches are expected to be announced at the AKP's anniversary event on August 14.

These claims emerged during a period when legal processes and discussions regarding operations against opposition municipalities have intensified. The report alleged that the detention of Üsküdar Mayor Sinem Dedetaş and Etimesgut Mayor Erdal Beşikçioğlu has caused concern among some CHP mayors.

It was stated that the mayors alleged to be joining the AKP have not made any statements to the press regarding the matter and have not responded to journalists' calls. No denial has yet been reflected to the public from the parties involved in the allegations.

AUGUST 14 CLAIMS FOR THREE DISTRICTS

One of the names mentioned in the corridors is Tuzla Mayor Eren Ali Bingöl. According to a report by Barış Yarkadaş, Bingöl had been waiting for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's approval to switch to the AKP for some time, and it is alleged that this approval was granted in recent weeks.

It was also claimed that Çekmeköy Mayor Orhan Çerkez is almost certain to join the AKP next month. Çerkez had won the election as the CHP candidate in the March 31 local elections with 49.22 percent of the vote.

In Şile, the name of Sacit Terzi, who was elected acting mayor following the arrest of Mayor Özgür Kabadayı in July 2025, is being mentioned. Terzi announced last week that he had resigned from the CHP. It is alleged that Terzi has been conducting negotiations with the AKP İstanbul Provincial Presidency and has reached an agreement regarding joining the AKP.

APPROVAL AWAITED FOR KARTAL

The report stated that Kartal Mayor Gökhan Yüksel is also among the names alleged to have established contact with the AKP. It was noted that the indictment previously prepared against Yüksel included the charge of "illegally leasing 44 municipal properties" and that a prison sentence of up to 3 years and 6 months was requested.

It was alleged that Yüksel made contact with the AKP months ago to fend off both the ongoing legal process and potential operations. However, it was noted that it has not yet been clarified whether Erdoğan will grant approval for the switch in Kartal.