Buca (Turkey) to elect mayoral deputy on 12 June after mayor's removal

Following a corruption‑related operation that led to the arrest of Buca Mayor Görkem Duman, the Interior Ministry removed him from office under the provisions of the Turkish Constitution and the Municipal Law. The İzmir Governor’s Office announced that an extraordinary council meeting will be held on 12 June 2026 at 16:00 in the Buca Municipality Service Building to choose a mayoral deputy. The council, dominated by the Republican People’s Party (CHP) with 27 seats against the coalition’s 18, will vote in the new interim leader. The operation, coordinated by the İzmir Public Prosecutor’s Office and the police’s financial crime unit, resulted in 54 arrests, including the former mayor and dozens of former officials.

The decree cites Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of Law 5393, authorising the removal and the subsequent election of a deputy mayor. The council’s extraordinary session will formalise the appointment, ensuring continuity of municipal administration pending a permanent election.