Erdogan meets Izmir Mayor Tugay amid party switch speculation
Independent mayor discusses city projects with president after denying AK Party transfer rumors.

KEY POINTS
- President Erdogan met Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay at the Presidential Complex on Sept 30.
- Tugay also met Transport Minister Uraloglu to discuss city transport coordination.
- Tugay resigned from the CHP on June 18, 2026, and has governed as an independent since.
- Speculation persists that Tugay will join the AK Party in October, which he denied in August.
- The meetings were closed to the press; Tugay thanked Erdogan for the reception via social media.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay at the Presidential Complex on Tuesday. Tugay stated he briefed the president on key municipal issues and future projects for the city.
Earlier the same day, Tugay met with Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu to evaluate coordination on urban transportation and ministry responsibilities.
“We briefed our President on the important issues on Izmir's agenda and our projects for the future of our city.”
The meetings fueled renewed speculation that Tugay, who resigned from the CHP on June 18, 2026, might join the ruling AK Party in October. Kocatepe Gazetesi reported that political circles expect the process to conclude soon.
Tugay firmly denied transfer rumors on August 13, stating he had no plans to join a party and would continue as an independent. His press advisor also rejected claims that a membership form had been submitted.
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