# Asuman Şen elected Deputy Mayor of Menderes Municipality > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/menderes-municipality-leadership-crisis > Updated: 2026-08-19T02:04:00.000Z. Sources: 46. Developments: 3. The Menderes Municipality in İzmir is undergoing a leadership transition following the removal and arrest of Mayor İlkay Çiçek. The Ministry of Interior removed Çiçek amid an investigation involving charges such as “forming a criminal organization,” “bribery,” “misconduct in office,” and “causing environmental pollution.” Following a contentious four-round voting process, AK Parti’s Asuman Şen was elected Deputy Mayor. The election was marked by significant tension and physical altercations; the CHP group walked out during the second round due to disputes over invalid votes, and a physical scuffle involving punches broke out between members of different groups during the third round. The AK Parti victory was facilitated by the opposition's inability to unite. Despite YENİ Parti’s previous pledge to support a CHP candidate in the final rounds, the split in opposition votes allowed Şen to win the fourth round with 15 votes, defeating YENİ Parti candidate Barış Gürsoy, who received 12 votes. This outcome shifted control of the municipality from the CHP to the AK Parti, despite CHP and YENİ Parti members holding a combined majority in the council. The election has triggered sharp political fallout and internal disciplinary scrutiny. CHP spokesperson Müslim Sarı blamed the YENİ Parti for dividing the opposition. Consequently, the CHP is evaluating disciplinary actions against members who failed to follow instructions. Specifically, council member Harun Bila faces expulsion proceedings following allegations that he voted for the AK Parti candidate. Internal instability has also affected the YENİ Parti. Two council members, Şirzat Peker and Füsun Demir, resigned from the party to serve as independents, citing poor management of the candidate selection process and a failure to achieve consensus. ## Claims - Asuman Şen (AKP) won the Menderes deputy mayor election with 15 votes in the fourth round. (corroborated by 15 sources) - Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek was arrested and removed from office following a corruption investigation. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The AKP candidate Asuman Şen won the deputy mayor election in Menderes. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Physical altercations occurred between council members during the election process. (corroborated by 7 sources) - CHP Spokesperson Müslim Sarı stated that the party instructed members to support the YENİ Parti candidate to prevent the municipality from passing to the AKP. (corroborated by 4 sources) - CHP is initiating disciplinary processes against members who did not follow instructions. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-19: Turkey political disputes erupt over municipal elections and party affiliations Political disputes erupt in Menderes and Nazilli following contested municipal elections and conflicting claims over party memberships involving the CHP, YENİ Parti, and AK Party. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/menderes-municipality-faces-political-shifts-after-deputy-mayor-election ### 2026-08-17: Menderes Deputy Mayor Asuman Şen elected following mayoral arrest Asuman Şen of the AKP has been elected deputy mayor of Menderes, replacing the arrested İlkay Çiçek. The election was marked by physical clashes and political friction between the CHP and YENİ Parti. 34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/menderes-municipality-deputy-mayor-election-faces-political-deadlock ### 2026-08-10: Menderes Municipality to elect deputy mayor on August 17 Menderes Municipality will hold an extraordinary council meeting on August 17 to elect a deputy mayor following the arrest and removal of Mayor İlkay Çiçek amid a corruption investigation. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yeni-parti-announces-izmir-municipal-leadership-and-menderes-strategy --- Cite as: Asuman Şen elected Deputy Mayor of Menderes Municipality. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/menderes-municipality-leadership-crisis