site.btaOpposition Mayor of Aydin Officially Joins Erdogan’s Party

The Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality of Aydin, Ozlem Cercioglu, who was elected with the support of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has now officially joined the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). She received her party badge from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during an official ceremony broadcast live, marking the 24th anniversary of the party.

Cercioglu’s political shift became one of the top news stories of the day in Turkiye, as she was considered a key figure in the CHP and one of the most influential women in local government. She entered politics in 2002 as an opposition MP from Aydin and, in 2009, was elected the first female mayor of the metropolitan municipality. She has been viewed as close to former CHP leader Kemal Kılıcdaroglu.

Ozlem Cercioglu addressed the audience at the ceremony immediately after Erdogan’s speech:

“I will continue to serve Aydin as I have always done. I promise once again, now under the protection of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that I will work even harder. If anyone accuses me of anything today, let them come forward and explain exactly what. I have never been afraid of accusations. I am clear in my conscience and walk with my head held high.[...] From now on, I will continue to serve alongside you, under the protection of our esteemed President and under the umbrella of the Justice and Development Party,” the Aydin mayor stated to the AKP party members.

Earlier, in a public statement, Cercioglu said that her reason for leaving the CHP was the application of anti-democratic methods, which, according to her, contradict the promise of honesty, legality, and integrity that she had committed to uphold.

Alongside her departure, four youth organization leaders from municipalities in Aydin Province also resigned from their positions, with three of them leaving the party entirely, citing mistreatment by CHP members of parliament.

CHP leader Ozgur Ozel, however, criticized these developments and accused the ruling party of applying judicial pressure and threats, which he claimed were used to coerce Cercioglu into switching sides.

At the ceremony, it was also announced that a total of eight CHP mayors, as well as one independent, are now joining the AKP.