The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) İzmir Provincial Organization has launched a signature campaign with the demand that "Cemil Tugay must resign," following the switch to the AKP by Cemil Tugay, who was elected Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality from the CHP in the March 31, 2024 local elections.
TKP İzmir Provincial Chair Tuğçe Sezen Gedik and TKP Party Assembly Member Çağlar Özkan attended the press conference held by the TKP in İzmir. It was announced at the meeting that the campaign would be carried out both on the streets and through digital channels, and would be expanded through visits to unions, professional chambers, mass organizations, and neighborhood headmen (muhtars).
THE CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE ON THE STREETS AND DIGITALLY
Gedik stated that they are determined to carry the campaign to different parts of İzmir, noting that signature tables will be set up in squares, busy streets, and neighborhoods. Stating that the digital signature process has also been initiated, Gedik expressed their goal of turning the campaign into a common will across the city.
The TKP İzmir Provincial Chair described a mayor elected from a party list switching to another party while their term is still ongoing as "interference with the popular will." Gedik said, "It is unacceptable for a name elected with the votes of the people under one party's flag to switch to another party while continuing their duty. This situation is a clear interference with the will of the people of İzmir. Cemil Tugay must resign from his post."
During the press conference, a question was also raised regarding the mega-projects brought to the agenda by Cemil Tugay. TKP Party Assembly Member Çağlar Özkan stated that his party continues to produce opinions on İzmir's urban problems together with experts; however, he emphasized that their priority on this current topic is Tugay's resignation.
REACTION TO THE 'SERVICES WILL COME' RHETORIC
Gedik also criticized the AKP government's policy of resource allocation toward İzmir, reacting to the "services will come" rhetoric voiced after the party change. Gedik evaluated the lack of resource allocation for the solution of İzmir's problems as "a product of the AKP's settling of scores with İzmir."
In her statement, Gedik said, "Now, the people of İzmir are being blackmailed with 'Services will come.' The people of İzmir should not surrender to this, should not bow down to being ignored because of their political preferences, and must protect their votes and their will to the end."
The TKP İzmir Provincial Organization reported that the campaign will continue to gain momentum until the October 29 Republic Day. It was noted that the collected signatures will be turned into a strong declaration representing the city's will.
News Source: 12punto
