# Mayor of Turkish opposition stronghold Izmir defects to Erdoğan’s party

https://mins.news/en/item/89781

- The Guardian, 2026-10-07 13:54 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/07/cemil-tugay-mayor-izmir-defects-akp-erdogan-turkey

> Izmir mayor Cemil Tugay has joined Erdoğan’s ruling AKP, despite previously vowing never to switch sides. Erdoğan welcomed him at a parliamentary group meeting. The move comes as Turkey’s opposition faces an intensifying crackdown, including arrests and lawsuits targeting elected officials.

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