Turkish opposition political defections to AKP

The Turkish opposition is facing significant political pressure as elected local officials defect to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). In Istanbul, these shifts have increased AKP control over municipal councils from 13 to 20 following the 2024 local elections. Özgür Özel, leader of the Yeni Parti, condemned the defectors as “traitors and those who have been sold,” noting that these changes follow the arrest of opposition figures on corruption charges.

In the İzmir province, the Republican People's Party (CHP) has expressed condemnation regarding these transitions. İzmir Provincial Chairman Utku Gümrükçü criticized the defection of Foça Mayor Saniye Bora Fıçı to the AKP, stating, “I do not grant my blessing” to the move. Gümrükçü warned that defections in districts such as Menderes, Üsküdar, and Foça could jeopardize the party’s future in İzmir, describing the current political environment as a “minefield.”

Gümrükçü has further criticized the YENİ Parti, alleging the new party was established using stolen CHP materials, including furniture. He noted that in Ödemiş, the CHP organization was left with only minimal items such as two cabinets, a table, and food. To counter these shifts, Gümrükçü has emphasized efforts to rebuild the CHP from the ground up and has conducted courtesy visits to the Vatan Party and Yeniden Refah Party to promote dialogue and consensus in İzmir.