# Turkish political tensions and local party shifts > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-political-tensions-and-local-party-shifts > Updated: 2026-10-19T11:37:46.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2. Political friction has emerged in Turkey involving local leadership and party affiliations. DEM Party Deputy Sırrı Sakık criticized the new İzmir Bar Association leadership, alleging they treat support for Kurdish politicians as a criminal matter, while also characterizing the appointment of Metin Feyzioğlu as Ambassador to Nicosia as a political move. Concurrently, Karaburun Mayor İlkay Girgin Erdoğan resigned from the YENİ Parti to serve as an independent following internal disputes regarding party lists and leadership during the Karaburun District Congress. After her brief tenure with YENİ Parti, reports indicate she is in discussions regarding a potential move to the AK Parti, a decision reportedly subject to the approval of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Further shifts in party alignment have been noted in Bursa, where Deputy Cemalettin Kani Torun has officially rejoined the AK Party. After resigning from the Yeni Yol Party on August 31 and previously serving as a CHP-list deputy in the 2023 elections, Torun was presented with his party badge by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during an AK Party Central Decision and Management Board meeting. His return brings the AK Party’s total number of deputies in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey to 281. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-19: Cemalettin Kani Torun rejoins AK Party Bursa Deputy Cemalettin Kani Torun has rejoined the AK Party after serving as an independent, increasing the party's parliamentary seat count to 281. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karaburun-mayor-ilkay-girgin-erdoan-resigns-from-yeni-parti ### 2026-10-19: Political tensions rise in Turkey involving DEM Party and YENİ Parti Turkish political friction intensifies as DEM Party's Sırrı Sakık criticizes the İzmir Bar Association, and Karaburun Mayor İlkay Girgin Erdoğan resigns from YENİ Parti to serve as an independent. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/political-tensions-rise-in-turkey-involving-dem-party-and-yeni-parti --- Cite as: Turkish political tensions and local party shifts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-political-tensions-and-local-party-shifts