Cemil Tugay responds to rumors of 'switching to the AKP'
Following İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay's visit to Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek alongside AKP figures, claims that he might be "switching to the AKP" emerged. Tugay has responded to these rumors.
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İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay visited Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek in Ankara alongside AKP İzmir Provincial Chair Bilal Saygılı, AKP İzmir Deputy Mehmet Kasapoğlu, and AKP Secretary General Eyyüp Kadir İnan.
The group photo taken after the visit and the thank-you message addressed to the AKP figures sparked rumors in political circles, with questions raised about whether "Tugay is switching to the AKP." Journalist Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu also stated that such rumors were being discussed in Ankara.
Appearing as a guest on journalist Nevşin Mengü's YouTube channel, Cemil Tugay responded to the allegations very clearly. Tugay stated the following:
“I entered the election as the CHP candidate. People voted for me because I am a member of the CHP. Are we going to change parties that easily? I do not have an ordinary career. People should know their place. They are being rude.”
“I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH MY PARTY”
Emphasizing that he has close relations with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, Tugay noted that he has no issues with the party or its leadership.
Tugay stated that his meeting with Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek alongside AKP figures was not political, and that they were discussing approvals for foreign loans for İzmir's infrastructure projects.