'Joke' tension in the İzmir Assembly: Cemil Tugay challenges AKP's Aydemir: 'Did you apologize?'

The June Ordinary Council Meeting of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality (İZBB) was marked by a heated debate over a "Kurdish woman" joke told by Koç Holding Honorary Chairman Rahmi Koç. Responding to AKP Council Member Latif Aydemir, who submitted a written motion to condemn Rahmi Koç, İZBB Mayor Cemil Tugay recalled Aydemir's past remarks on femicide and said, "Rahmi Koç apologized. Mr. Latif, have you apologized for what you did?"

During the first session of the June meeting, held under the administration of İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly grew tense while council members' motions were being discussed. The joke told by Koç Holding Honorary Chairman Rahmi Koç at the opening ceremony of the İzmir American Hospital, which drew public backlash, was brought to the council's agenda.

"CONDEMNATION" MOTION REVIVES PAST SCANDAL

AKP Council Member Latif Aydemir, who made headlines across Turkey last November and faced significant backlash for his remarks on femicide, stating, "In most cases, including some women, the victims are as much to blame as the perpetrators," submitted a written motion of condemnation targeting Rahmi Koç's statements. Addressing Mayor Tugay, Aydemir said, "I expect you to condemn this as well while defending women's rights. Shame on him, he should apologize like a man."

MAYOR TUGAY: "RAHMI KOÇ REALIZED HIS MISTAKE, BUT WHAT ABOUT YOU?"

İZBB Mayor Cemil Tugay gave a very sharp response to AKP member Aydemir's condemnation move and his emphasis on "women's rights." Stating that Rahmi Koç's remarks were inappropriate and wrong but did not carry malicious intent, Tugay brought up Aydemir's past scandalous statements:

"We cannot say that Rahmi Koç's remarks were correct. It was unbecoming and inappropriate. He has already apologized for his remarks. I do not think it was a statement intended to demean Kurdish women. Sometimes people can say wrong things without malicious intent; we shouldn't immediately lynch them. He let something slip unintentionally and apologized afterward; he did not stand by it.

But Mr. Latif, have you apologized for what you did? I don't recall you apologizing. I think there is a very important matter for which you also need to apologize."

PROTEST FROM CHP BENCHES

Cornered by Mayor Cemil Tugay's sharp reminder, AKP's Latif Aydemir tried to close the subject by saying, "Our topic is Koç." Aydemir's attitude of standing by his own past words and avoiding an apology was met with strong protests from CHP members in the İZBB Assembly, who banged on their desks and voiced their disapproval. Following the debate, the council continued with the voting on other items on the agenda.