New information has been shared regarding the transition process that began in local governments following the establishment of the YENİ Party. According to the information obtained, 242 of the 258 mayors who resigned from the CHP have joined the YENİ Party. It was stated that 16 mayors who left the CHP did not join the YENİ Party.
According to party officials, approximately three-quarters of the CHP's 3,650 municipal council members across Turkey have also moved to the YENİ Party. It was stated that of the seven provincial general assemblies where the CHP held a majority in the 2024 local elections, the CHP retained the majority in Tunceli and Edirne, while the balance shifted in favor of the YENİ Party in the other five provinces.
According to a report by ANKA, YENİ Party officials, while evaluating the transition process in the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Council, stated that Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş is managing the process. The officials noted that they are not interfering with the operations in Ankara, that they are not uncomfortable with the way Yavaş is managing the process, and that communication with him is ongoing.
GROUP PREPARATIONS FOR THE IMM COUNCIL
It was reported that efforts are underway for the YENİ Party to form its own group in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Council. According to the information obtained, the resignation process of CHP members in the IMM Council began last Friday. YENİ Party officials aim to form a group in the IMM Council before the municipal council meeting in November.
The officials claimed that the number of CHP council members, which is currently 153, could drop to 10-15 after November. The same sources stated that the 153-member figure includes nine DEM Party members, and that the DEM Party could also form its own group.
When asked about the possibility of an operation against the IMM, YENİ Party officials argued that IMM Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan is managing the process in a balanced manner. The officials assessed, “Our IMM Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan is conducting a correct process, establishing a good balance, and doing successful work. The IMM is one of the municipalities with no debt. It only has external loan debt. We do not believe any operation will be carried out. But if a new election for the IMM comes onto the agenda, we will re-evaluate the balances.”
YENİ Party officials also drew attention to the deputy mayor elections expected to be held this week in Adana's Çukurova and Muğla's Milas, where the mayors were arrested. The officials stated that the situation is critical, noting that in Çukurova, the CHP has 12 members, the YENİ Party has 12, and the People's Alliance has 10. In Milas, the view was expressed that the balance is in favor of the YENİ Party.
THE FUTURE OF AHMET ARAS
The officials were also asked about allegations that Muğla Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Aras, who resigned from the CHP, would join the AKP. YENİ Party sources stated that they believe Aras will “make the most correct decision,” while expressing that they do not expect him to join the AK Party.
The officials stated that out of the 411 municipalities where the CHP gained the authority to govern after the March 31, 2024 local elections, 33 have passed to the AK Party, which corresponds to approximately 8 percent. In the same assessment, it was argued that 92 percent of the municipalities “continue to practice social democratic municipalism despite threats, blackmail, and pressure.”
News Source: 12punto
