CHP and YENİ Party fail to agree on a joint candidate: Municipality set to pass to AKP

The political landscape in Menderes, İzmir, has shifted ahead of the deputy mayoral election to be held following the arrest and suspension of Mayor İlkay Çiçek. It is reported that negotiations between the CHP and the YENİ Party to field a joint candidate have failed, and as a result, the municipal administration is expected to pass to the AKP.

According to insider information shared by journalist Asena Karcıer on her social media account, it was stated that the CHP plans to nominate Mehmet Ali Akar for the deputy mayoral position. It was reported that the YENİ Party also held a meeting to determine its candidate, with Barış Gürsoy emerging as a prominent name within the party.

Karcıer noted that if the method applied in Seferihisar is continued, holding a primary for the two names could also be on the agenda. In the same post, the name of Seyhan Müşerref Kuralı was mentioned as one of the individuals who has clearly expressed an intention to run on that front.

On the AKP side, it was reported that the method has not changed and a straw poll was conducted in recent days. It was noted that four names stood out in the poll, and the person expected to be the AKP's candidate is most likely Asuman Şen. Additionally, it was stated that one of the independent council members has also expressed a desire to run.

?? INSIDER | I can say that the CHP and the YENİ Party are attempting an alliance for Menderes. In fact, it was among the insider information I obtained that Mehmet Ali Akar, who is expected to be the CHP's candidate, had received approval from the YENİ Party, until yesterday. As of yesterday, things got a bit complicated in Menderes:… https://t.co/HQ7hZp1Qab

— Asena Karcıer (@asenakarcier) August 16, 2026

The initial seat distribution in the Menderes Municipal Council after the election was 18 for the CHP, 10 for the AKP, 1 for the MHP, and 2 independent members. However, the balance changed when 11 members who left the CHP joined the YENİ Party. In the subsequent process, the imprisonment of a total of 3 council members—one from the CHP and two from the YENİ Party—along with Mayor İlkay Çiçek, reshaped the power distribution in the council ahead of the critical vote.

News Source: 12punto