Yaşar Tüzün: Fatma Kaplan Hürriyet announced she joined the NEW Party via letter

NEW Party Deputy Chairman Yaşar Tüzün announced that the imprisoned Mayor of İzmit, Fatma Kaplan Hürriyet, sent a handwritten letter stating that she has joined the NEW Party.

Speaking after the election for the acting Mayor of İzmit, Tüzün reacted to the allegations circulating in the public regarding Hürriyet. Tüzün said that in her letter, Hürriyet congratulated the NEW Party Chairman and declared that she stands with them on the same political line.

Rejecting claims that Hürriyet would switch to the AKP, Tüzün quoted her as saying, "I am willing to stay here for years, but I will never switch to the AKP." Describing Hürriyet's stance as that of a "courageous woman," Tüzün argued that the comments made on social media and in the press do not reflect the truth.

Following the arrest of Hürriyet, an election for an acting mayor was held in the İzmit Municipal Council. At the end of the third round, CHP member Lütfü Obuz was elected acting mayor with 22 votes. The People's Alliance candidate, AKP's Hayrettin Ünlü, remained at 15 votes.

Thanking the 22 municipal council members after the vote, Tüzün stated that the person elected was not determined as a new mayor or a candidate for 2029, but as someone who will serve as acting mayor until Hürriyet returns to her post.

Stating that Lütfü Obuz will continue the unfinished services with his knowledge and experience, Tüzün expressed that they are ready to provide all kinds of support in the field of local government as the NEW Party.