Zafer Party transfers CHP mayor: Ümit Özdağ pins his badge

Erkan Hayla, who was elected mayor from the Republican People's Party (CHP) in the March 31, 2024 local elections in the Kale district of Denizli, has decided to continue his political journey with the Zafer Party. This significant transition was announced to the public through a statement made by Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ on social media.

In his statement on social media platforms, Özdağ invited Hayla to the party, saying: 'Denizli Kale Mayor Erkan Hayla has joined the Zafer Party. Dear Mayor Erkan, welcome to the Zafer Party and to the struggle for Turkish nationalism on the path of Atatürk. Together, we will march toward the victory of the Turkish nation.'

Denizli Kale Mayor Erkan Hayla has met with our Chairman Prof. Dr. Ümit Özdağ and joined our Zafer Party family.

Following our Burdur Tefenni Mayor Ümit Alagöz, with the Denizli Kale Municipality, the Zafer Party's approach to municipal governance… pic.twitter.com/C3IXF8Gyna

— Zafer Partisi (@zaferpartisi) July 7, 2026

In the statement made on the Zafer Party's official social media account, it was noted that Erkan Hayla met with Chairman Ümit Özdağ and joined their party. Furthermore, it was highlighted that after the mayor of Burdur's Tefenni district, Ümit Alagöz, the Kale Municipality has become the second municipality to be governed under the Zafer Party's approach to municipal management. The party's statement expressed gratitude to the Denizli Provincial Presidency and other party officials who contributed to this process.