Cemil Tugay, rumored to be joining the AKP, breaks his silence! 'Not for my personal political future...'

Claims that Cemil Tugay, who has been serving as the Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality as an independent after resigning from the CHP, will join the AKP have returned to the agenda. According to a report by journalist İsmail Saymaz, it has been alleged that Tugay will join the party at the AKP Group Meeting to be held on October 7, with a badge to be pinned on him by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay will come to the AK Party Headquarters on October 7 at 11:30. A badge will be pinned on Tugay by President Erdoğan.

— İsmail Saymaz (@ismailsaymaz) October 5, 2026

Responding to a question from Halk TV columnist Sedat Kaya regarding his political future, Tugay used the expressions, “Not for my personal political future, but due to the responsibility I bear toward İzmir; yes, I am on the verge of a decision.”

RESPONDED ON SOCIAL MEDIA

While no official statement confirming or explicitly denying the allegations has come from Tugay's camp, the responses given via social media have caused the debate to grow.

Tugay also responded to some comments under his posts on his Instagram account. To a user's question about whether municipal employees would be dismissed if he joined the AKP, Tugay replied, “We have not done anything to anyone who is doing their job. From now on, nothing will happen to anyone who does their job.”

Responding to another user's question, “Have you become the AK Youth President?”, Tugay stated that he would continue his duties as mayor until his term ends. Tugay said, “Youth branch presidency is a political activity. A mayor serves the city without distinguishing anyone from anyone else.”

The background of the debate includes Tugay's announcement that he would continue his duty as an independent after leaving the CHP and his previous denials of allegations that he would join the AKP. However, his recent resignation from the Atatürkist Thought Association has reignited the claims of a party change.

News Source: 12punto