Shock protest against Özlem Vural Gürzel after she joins AKP

Citizens living in Beykoz and the CHP Beykoz District Presidency gathered in front of the municipal building to protest Deputy Mayor Özlem Vural Gürzel's switch to the AKP. The crowd, which assembled before the first council meeting to be chaired by Gürzel, expressed their reaction by opening banners with slogans such as "Özlem resign" and "AKP resign."

CHP Beykoz District President Aydın Düzgün stated in his address in front of the municipal building, "She sold this municipality, which belongs to the CHP and was elected with the votes of thousands of Beykoz residents—votes as pure as our mother's milk. I say shame on you. We will walk through all the streets of Beykoz, in homes, at bus stops, everywhere."

Özlem Vural Gürzel had been appointed as Deputy Mayor on March 10, 2025, replacing the arrested Beykoz Mayor Alaattin Köseler. However, Gürzel announced her resignation from her party on September 9 and joined the AKP. Following these developments, CHP council members Murat Uzun and Uğur Gökdemir also announced that they had left their party. With these resignations, the CHP lost its majority in the Beykoz Municipal Council.

Following Gürzel's joining of the AKP, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented party pins to Gürzel and other new members. It was noted that since the day Gürzel switched to the AKP, she has not communicated with council members or district organizations, and that she would be seen for the first time at the council meeting. Additionally, it was alleged that Gürzel had filed a police complaint against CHP Beykoz District President Aydın Düzgün.

News Source: 12punto