Response to claims that Cemil Tugay will join the AKP

The claim that Cemil Tugay, who has been serving as the Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality as an independent after resigning from the CHP, is "joining the AKP" has come to the agenda once again. A report published on a website alleged that Tugay had filled out an AKP membership form and was expected to join the party on September 9.

According to information obtained regarding these claims, there is no decision made by Tugay to join the AKP. It was stated that the İzmir Metropolitan Mayor will continue to serve as an independent.

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, it was also claimed that the September 9 reception, which will be held this evening at the Historical Coal Gas Factory as part of the 104th anniversary of the liberation of İzmir, would be organized "without alcohol for the first time" upon the instruction of Cemil Tugay. It was stated that this information does not reflect the truth and that the reception will be held with alcohol, as in previous years.

The İzmir Metropolitan Municipality's traditional September 9 reception will take place at 20:00 at the Historical Coal Gas Factory Culture Center. The city protocol, representatives of political parties, and guests are expected to attend the program hosted by Tugay.

Tugay had previously denied the claims that he would join the AKP. In a statement he made in August, he said, "I do not have a situation like joining a party right now. I will remain independent, and I have said many times that I will remain independent."