AKP Deputy Chairman Prof. Dr. Hasan Basri Yalçın said in a television program he attended that there would be new participants joining the party. Refraining from giving names, Yalçın stated that a metropolitan municipality is next in line.
Referring to the "our door is open" message from President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Yalçın said, "Our President said our door is open, we are waiting. I will not give names, but a metropolitan municipality is next in line. Hopefully, we will see it as soon as possible."
The statement came after İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay joined the AKP. Erdoğan pinned the AKP badge on Tugay, who resigned from the CHP in June following a decision of absolute nullity, during an event held as part of the first meeting of the new legislative year.
TUGAY'S DEFECTION DRAWS REACTION IN İZMİR
In his speech at the ceremony, Tugay referred to Erdoğan as a "great leader." Stating that "the AKP is the protector of the unprotected," Tugay noted that they have entered a new process for İzmir and declared, "With the valuable support of the AKP family, we are setting out to lift İzmir up and virtually rebuild our city."
This move by Tugay also brought his previous statements, in which he denied allegations that he would join the AKP, back to the agenda. In January, regarding the allegations in question, Tugay had said, "My mother said 'I will disown you,' my wife said 'I will divorce you'; all these rumors are baseless."
Protests were held in İzmir following the party change. The YENİ Party İzmir Provincial Organization gathered in front of their provincial building at the Pasaport Pier to react to Tugay joining the AKP.
Speaking at the demonstration, YENİ Party İzmir Provincial Chairman Çağatay Güç criticized Tugay with harsh words. Güç said, "Those who sell their character, their backbone, and their stance will receive the harshest response from the people of İzmir. You are a big zero today. You are a big zero in the eyes of the nation. Whatever we say about your understanding of morality and your character from this point on is in vain. If you have even a little bit of honor, you cannot sit in that seat shamelessly."
Following the calls for protest in the city, security measures were increased around Cumhuriyet Square and Konak Atatürk Square. Police barricades were set up around Cumhuriyet Square, and a large number of armored riot vehicles (TOMA) were deployed in the area.
It was reported that citizens who started marching on Gazi Boulevard after the protest chanted slogans such as "İzmir, don't sleep, protect your will!" While police teams blocked the group's path, it was reported that some demonstrators walked towards Basmane.
News Source: 12punto
