Haymana Mayor Levent Koç Joins AK Party After Resigning from CHP

Haymana Mayor Levent Koç, who was elected in the March 31, 2024 local elections as a CHP candidate, publicly resigned from the Republican People’s Party and joined the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). At an AK Party gathering in Ankara, President and party leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented Koç with a party badge, and Koç kissed Erdoğan’s hand, signalling his new affiliation.

Koç, a graduate of İnönü University’s Turkish Language and Literature department and holder of two master’s degrees, previously served in various educational administrative roles before becoming mayor. His defection follows a recent meeting with Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum, and is being highlighted by the AK Party as a boost to its local support.

The switch adds to the AK Party’s roster of municipal leaders and may influence political dynamics ahead of upcoming national elections.