Orhan Ziya Diren, Turkish Business Leader and Former MP, Dies at 79

Orhan Ziya Diren, a prominent Turkish wine engineer, former chairman of the fruit‑juice company DİMES and two‑term CHP deputy from Tokat, died at the age of 79. His death was announced by his son, TÜSİAD chairman Ozan Diren, who shared a photo of the two together and expressed condolences on social media. Diren, born in 1947, graduated from the University of Dijon’s Faculty of Science in Viticulture and Oenology, led the family‑founded Diren brand to become Turkey’s first internationally recognised wine, and received several industry awards. He served in the 22nd and 23rd parliamentary terms and was active in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

Three days before his passing, Diren publicly withdrew from the CHP and announced support for the newly formed Yeni Parti, a move that briefly returned him to political headlines. Tributes poured in from both business and political circles following his death.