Protocol order dispute in Didim: Mayor from the New Party reacts to the ceremony
Hatice Gençay, whose name was announced after the district director of national education at the 2026-2027 academic year opening ceremony, reacted to the protocol order.
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A dispute over protocol order occurred during the ceremony held to mark the start of the 2026-2027 academic year in the Didim district of Aydın.
The ceremony drew criticism after the announcer called the name of Didim Mayor Hatice Gençay after that of District Director of National Education Mustafa Çalışkan, despite the fact that it should have been announced before him according to protocol.
In footage from the ceremony, Gençay was seen turning her back to the protocol during the wreath-laying. Following the incident, Gençay made a statement on her social media account.
In her statement, Gençay noted that they encountered an attitude from the District Directorate of National Education toward the Office of the Mayor that was "incompatible with protocol order."
The Office of the Mayor of Didim represents the will of the people of Didim. The respect to be shown to this office is not a preference that can change according to individuals; it is a requirement of state tradition, institutional courtesy, and mutual respect.
Arguing that similar situations had been encountered before, Gençay stated that it was difficult to consider what happened as merely an isolated protocol error.
Gençay emphasized that public institutions must show the necessary care for each other's representative offices, noting that protocol rules should be applied independently of personal or political approaches.