Claims that Cemil Tugay will join the AKP are back on the political agenda: August 14 is being discussed in the corridors
Claims that İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay will join the AKP have returned to the agenda. While journalist Nevşin Mengü alleged that Tugay will be pinned with an AKP badge on August 14, YENİ Party Aydın Deputy Süleyman Bülbül stated that he does not believe this scenario will come to pass.
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Discussions regarding the political future of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay have gained momentum once again. Claims that Tugay, who has been serving as an independent after leaving the CHP, will this time join the ranks of the AKP have begun to be voiced again in political corridors.
Journalist Nevşin Mengü, in a statement, alleged that Tugay would join the party on August 14, the anniversary of the AKP's founding. In her claim, Mengü also suggested that in addition to Tugay, three district mayors would also switch to the AKP during the same process.
Bülbül: "I don't think he would make such a choice"
Speaking on SÖZCÜ TV, YENİ Party Aydın Deputy Süleyman Bülbül approached the claims that Cemil Tugay would join the AKP with caution.
Stating that it would not be right for mayors elected from opposition parties to join the ruling party, Bülbül said, "I do not think that Cemil Tugay will join the AK Party after the support the people of İzmir have given him. I believe he will be in the right place at the right time."
Similar claims had been made before
Cemil Tugay's name had been associated with the AKP previously. Similar claims had come to the agenda in political circles, particularly following his meeting with Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum. Making a statement to the public regarding the reports in question, Tugay had stated that the claims that he would join the AKP did not reflect the truth and that he would continue his mayoral duties as an independent.
"I will continue my duty as an independent"
Tugay had used the following expressions in a previous statement:
"I will continue my duty as Mayor as an independent. I am working to ensure that political uncertainties do not affect municipal services in İzmir. The peace and prosperity of our city and our country are my priority."
Eyes on new statements
There has been no official confirmation so far regarding the latest claims that Cemil Tugay will join the AKP. While discussions continue in political corridors, it remains a matter of curiosity as to what kind of statement Tugay will make regarding the latest allegations.