[95048] Shock in the Ankara political system: Haymana Mayor leaves the CHP party and joins the AKP

Political upheaval in Ankara: Haymana Mayor joins the ruling party

In a significant event held today, June 22, 2026, during a meeting of the AKP party branch in Ankara, Haymana Mayor, Levent Koç, joined the ranks of the ruling party. According to reports by gdh, Koç officially left the Republican People's Party (CHP), a move described by TGRT HABER as a "resignation shock" within the ranks of the opposition.

During the gathering held at the ATO Congress Center, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan personally pinned the party badge on Koç's lapel, as reported by A Haber. Government-affiliated channels, such as the İhlas Haber Ajansı, emphasized the importance of this transfer of roles as part of strengthening the AKP's power in the region.

Simultaneously with the reports on Koç's joining, the local political system attempted to deal with rumors of further defections. Gündem Hattı, a channel covering the local political agenda, reported that Nallıhan Mayor, Ertunç Güngör, strongly denied claims that he is expected to move to the AKP. Güngör emphasized that he remains loyal to his political position and to the side of Ankara Mayor, Mansur Yavaş, and stated that "no one should try to use him to isolate Yavaş."

Despite the denials in Nallıhan, Gündem Hattı noted that among political circles in Ankara, the names of additional mayors have been raised, including Çamlıdere Mayor, Adem Ceylan, as potential candidates for joining the ruling party. The issue is expected to continue to remain at the center of political discussions in the Turkish capital in the near future.