Izmir's mayor switches to Erdoğan's AK Party

Cemil Tugay, mayor of Türkiye's third-largest city since 2024, left the opposition CHP in June and formally joined the ruling AK Party this week, on 7 October. President Erdoğan handed him his party badge in person, calling the AK Party a safe address for those tired of pressure from party bosses. The switch gives the ruling party a foothold in a city the CHP had governed for two decades, and deepens the opposition's split after its leadership crisis earlier this year.

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