Switched to AKP, attacked CHP: Özlem Çerçioğlu reportedly said, 'I cannot spend time in a 6-square-meter space'

Aydın Metropolitan Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu has resigned from the CHP and officially joined the AKP.

While Çerçioğlu's transfer to the AKP has become a major topic on the political agenda, Cumhuriyet columnist Barış Terkoğlu shared the details of a conversation he had with an influential figure in Aydın politics in his column.

According to Terkoğlu, the person he spoke with described how the CHP leadership came to Aydın to try to persuade Çerçioğlu with the following words:

“We have known for a while that she was in contact with the AKP. Unfortunately, she had given tenders to Aziz İhsan Aktaş. A file had been opened against her. She had been waiting for a while. I personally saw that action was being taken on the file. The prosecutor's office has started writing letters. Ms. Özlem became anxious. She said, 'Is it coming for me too?' She told a fellow mayor friend, 'I cannot spend time in a 6-square-meter space.' Since the people of Aydın generally support the CHP, she will tell a personal story of victimization. She will likely blame the CHP. She has been the one determining the CHP's politics in Aydın for 25 years. We expect 3 district mayors and 13 municipal council members to resign along with her.”

In his assessment, Terkoğlu stated, “Will she be persuaded? It seems difficult. However, one thing is certain: Özlem Çerçioğlu's transition to the AKP will create a legal protection shield. The danger of Aziz İhsan Aktaş will likely slowly move away from her.”

JOINED AKP, ATTACKED CHP

Çerçioğlu officially joined the AKP today during the party's 24th-anniversary program. Taking the podium to give a speech, Çerçioğlu said:

"Mr. President, very esteemed First Lady, first of all, I promise once again that just as I have served Aydın, I will serve even more under the auspices of our President from now on!

If there are any allegations against me today, let them come forward and explain them. I have never been afraid of the judiciary or being tried. My conscience is clear, my head is held high!

I do not find it appropriate to explain the problems I have experienced here in terms of political ethics. However, I will explain them one by one if necessary. My only concern is to serve my country and Aydın. From now on, I will continue to serve under the roof of the AK Party with you and under the auspices of our President."