Discussions continue following the departure of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay from the CHP and his subsequent joining of the AKP.
Speaking to Yeni Asır, Tugay clarified his previous statement that his wife would divorce him if he were to join the AKP. Arguing that his words were distorted, Tugay claimed he never had such a conversation with his wife and stated that they made the decision to join the AKP as a family.
Tugay also denied the allegations made by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel that he had been shown files or videos.
“I DID NOT KNOW IT WOULD BE DISTORTED THIS MUCH”
Speaking about the decision to join the AKP, Cemil Tugay argued that his previous remark, “My wife will divorce you,” had been interpreted differently. Stating that they evaluated the process together with his wife, his mother, and his wife's family, Tugay used the following expressions:
"The meaning of the expressions I used in the past to emphasize my point was distorted. At that time, I did not sit down with my wife and talk about whether she would divorce me or I would divorce her if I joined the AK Party. It was just an emphasis I made to explain that 'it is not possible for me to do this' in the context of that day. It was an unnecessary emphasis. But I did not know it would be distorted this much. We are life partners; it is not possible for me to make such a decision without my wife's approval and consent. My wife is at least as rational as I am, committed to her country, and capable of analyzing the city's situation well. We made the decision together by talking it over with my wife, my mother, my family, and even my wife's family. She wanted to be by my side that day as well. Our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also honored us greatly by calling my wife to the stage, taking her on one side and me on the other, and raising our hands. My wife was truly very happy that he called her. In those few minutes there, we experienced a moment with our President that we will never forget in our lives."
Tugay stated that AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan calling him and his wife to the stage was a moment they would never forget, and that his wife was also happy about this invitation.
“LET WHOEVER HAS ANYTHING IN THEIR HANDS BRING IT OUT, SO I CAN SEE IT TOO”
Responding to the allegations by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel that he had been shown files or videos, Tugay said he had not faced any pressure or threats. Stating that there is no ongoing investigation or court case against him, Tugay said the following after his assessment regarding the party congress lawsuit:
"Özgür Özel's allegations that I was shown files or videos are completely false. Let whoever has anything in their hands bring it out, so I can see it too. Currently, I have neither an investigation nor a court case. There is only one thing regarding the congress lawsuit, and that is truly a matter of complete slander. Other than that, I have nothing. No one came to me and said there is an investigation or a lawsuit against you, nor did they threaten me. I have neither seen pressure nor threats. We worked cleanly here. All the problems belonged to past periods; there is nothing related to our term. The one or two operations carried out on the municipality are entirely issues of past periods. I have not had such anxiety or fear"
“THE FEELING INSIDE ME IS ENTIRELY TO SERVE THIS CITY”
Speaking about the criticisms regarding his political past and career, Tugay explained that he is the child of a teacher father and a housewife mother. Stating that he worked as a street vendor, peddler, and apprentice during his youth, Tugay said he completed his education through his own labor, developed his professional career after graduating from medical school, and spent time in the USA.
Arguing that his purpose for entering politics was not career ambition, Tugay stated that he wanted to contribute to İzmir and his country, saying, “The feeling inside me is entirely to serve this city. I try to act with my mind and I do what is right.”
“WE DID NOT ENCOUNTER THE INTENSE ODOR PROBLEM WE EXPERIENCED IN PREVIOUS YEARS THIS YEAR”
Making assessments regarding the pollution, odor, and fish deaths in the Gulf of İzmir, Tugay claimed that the problem did not emerge during his term. Pointing to İZSU data from past years, Tugay argued that there was serious pollution in the Gulf, especially in the two years before he took office.
Stating that after taking office, they carried out maintenance and improvement works at the Çiğli Wastewater Treatment Plant, commissioned the fourth phase of the facility, and carried out seabed cleaning within the municipality's means, Tugay stated that they did not encounter the intense odor problem seen in previous years this year.
Expressing that the pollution in the Gulf is a structural problem with an 80 to 100-year history, Tugay said that comprehensive interventions and large-scale investments are needed for a permanent solution. Pointing out the importance of the central government's support, Tugay noted that they will continue to work in cooperation to clean the Gulf.
“THERE WILL BE NO REGRESSION IN MUNICIPAL SERVICES”
Speaking about the reactions towards him following the party change, Tugay said his priority is to provide good municipal services to İzmir. Arguing that the work to be done will reflect positively on the people of İzmir, Tugay stated that existing services will continue and new ones will be added to them.
Expressing that İzmir's characteristic features and the citizens' rights, law, freedom, thoughts, and beliefs are important to him, Tugay stated that it is not possible to create political pressure through the municipality.
CEMIL TUGAY HAD SAID, “MY WIFE WILL DIVORCE YOU”
Cemil Tugay had denied the possibility when allegations that he would join the AKP surfaced on January 29, 2026. In the statement he made at that time, Tugay stated that his worldview did not align with the AKP's management approach, and said that his mother would disown him and his wife would divorce him.
Tugay's statement at that date was as follows:
"No one from the AK Party has contacted me regarding this issue. I am 59 years old. I have had a worldview and a perspective on life for all these years. If I were to ignore these in one day and join the AK Party, first of all, those in my close circle would not look at my face. My mother said, 'I will disown you.' My wife said, 'I will divorce you.' Furthermore, is it possible to do anything with the AK Party's current management approach? All these allegations are baseless. We are hiring based on merit. We manage the municipality with democracy. How can these happen in a party that makes decisions by asking only one person? It does not align with our worldview"
News Source: 12punto
