Second CHP council member who voted for AKP in Menderes resigns

A new development has occurred in the ongoing controversy following the victory of AKP's Asuman Şen in the Menderes Municipality deputy mayoral election. CHP Council Member Şirzat Peker announced that he cast his vote in favor of the AKP candidate, Şen, during the election held on August 17, 2026.

With Peker's statement, the number of CHP council members who have announced they voted for the AKP candidate in the election has risen to two. It had previously been reported that CHP Council Member Harun Bila also attended celebrations at the AKP Menderes District Headquarters after the election and declared that he had voted for Asuman Şen.

Following the assessment by CHP İzmir Provincial Chair Utku Gümrükçü that the other individual who voted for the AKP was from the New Party, Peker stated that his voting preference was shaped in accordance with his own political will.

Speaking to Egedesonsöz, Peker said, "I acted in accordance with my own political will for the sake of Menderes' future, the needs of our district, and for the people of Menderes to receive better services." Peker expressed that his vote should not be interpreted as a party switch or a personal political calculation.

Peker also announced that he has resigned from the CHP and will continue his political path as an independent. Peker emphasized that voting for a candidate does not mean membership in that political party.