The exodus continues: Six CHP district mayors and council members join the YENİ Party

Political balances in Bursa have been reshaped as the Republican People's Party (CHP) mayors and municipal council members serving in 6 districts resigned from their party and joined the YENİ Party. The mayors and council members elected by the CHP in the Osmangazi, Nilüfer, Gemlik, Mudanya, Mustafakemalpaşa, and Harmancık districts announced their resignations at a press conference held in front of the Atatürk Monument.

YENİ Party Bursa Provincial Chair Nihat Yeşiltaş evaluated the developments. Referring to the bribery and corruption investigation conducted against former Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, Yeşiltaş stated, "Today, 43 percent of Turkey's population is not being governed by the mayors they elected. We are experiencing the most severe consequences of the democracy crisis in Bursa."

Among those who resigned are Osmangazi Mayor Erkan Aydın, Nilüfer Mayor Şadi Özdemir, Gemlik Mayor Şükrü Deviren, Mudanya Mayor Deniz Dalgıç, Mustafakemalpaşa Mayor Şükrü Erdem, and Harmancık Mayor Haşim Ali Arıkan. These figures were accompanied by district municipal council members.

In his statement, Yeşiltaş said, "Our mayors, who choose to walk with the people and serve approximately 60 percent of Bursa's population at the district level—Osmangazi Mayor Erkan Aydın, Nilüfer Mayor Şadi Özdemir, Gemlik Mayor Şükrü Deviren, Mudanya Mayor Deniz Dalgıç, Mustafakemalpaşa Mayor Şükrü Erdem, Harmancık Mayor Haşim Ali Arıkan, and our elected municipal council members in all districts—are upholding the will of our people and joining the YENİ Party today. Today, our 3 honorable members of parliament are in the YENİ Party. 16 of our 17 district chairs and our 17 district administrations have joined the YENİ Party. The entire Provincial Administration has joined the YENİ Party. 94 percent of our municipal council members have joined the YENİ Party. Members have begun to join the YENİ Party en masse. The Bursa organization has done what is necessary for the future of our country and our Republic. Regardless of the conditions, we will continue this struggle and continue to walk on the path taken by our Chairman, Mr. Özgür Özel."

News Source: 12punto