Who was Ferdi Zeyrek, who passed away? Here is Ferdi Zeyrek’s biography, political career, and roles...

Ferdi Zeyrek was known as a Turkish politician, engineer and local government official. He became widely known after being elected Manisa Metropolitan Municipality mayor from the Republican People's Party (CHP) in the 2024 Turkish local elections. So who was Ferdi Zeyrek, how old was he and where was he from? Here are the details people are curious about regarding Ferdi Zeyrek’s life and political career…

FERDİ ZEYREK'S EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Ferdi Zeyrek was born in 1977 in Manisa. After completing his primary, middle and high school education in Manisa, he received his university education at Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Architecture. After completing his education, he worked for many years in the private sector as an architect and urban planner.

FERDİ ZEYREK'S POLITICAL CAREER

Ferdi Zeyrek entered politics under the umbrella of the Republican People's Party (CHP). He held various positions in his party's Manisa organization and played an active role in local government.

In 2023, he was nominated by the CHP headquarters as its candidate for mayor of Manisa Metropolitan Municipality. 

With the high share of the vote he received in the March 31, 2024 local elections, he won Manisa Metropolitan Municipality, which had long been under AK Party control, for the CHP. 

Zeyrek thus became one of the first CHP figures in Manisa's history to be elected metropolitan mayor.

During the election campaign, Ferdi Zeyrek particularly highlighted the following topics:

• Transparent and participatory municipal governance

• Youth employment and social support projects

• Support for agriculture, farmers and the local economy

• Increasing investments in transport, infrastructure and the environment

After taking office, Zeyrek drew attention with his cost-saving measures, emphasis on merit and a management style that communicated directly with the public.

WHY DID FERDİ ZEYREK LOSE HIS LIFE?

Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek was seriously injured on the night of June 6 when he was electrocuted while intervening in a fault in the pool motor room in the garden of his home.

Zeyrek, whose heart had stopped, was taken to hospital after first aid was administered at the scene.

It was learned that Zeyrek, who was connected to an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) device in the intensive care unit to support his heart and lung functions, was also given dialysis treatment due to kidney failure. 

Despite the interventions, Zeyrek lost his 3-day fight for life.