Five Opposition Mayors Join AKP

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Five district mayors joined the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in a ceremony held yesterday (January 14) after the party's parliamentary group meeting.

President and AKP Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pinned badges on their new members.

AKP's parliamentary group deputy chairperson Bülent Turan on Saturday (January 11) stated that they plan to "transfer" around 100 district and town mayors. There are a total of 1,316 district and town municipalities in Turkey.

CLICK - AKP Plans to 'Transfer' Dozens of Mayors from Opposition Parties

Felicity Party (SP) Chair Temel Karamollaoğlu had claimed that the ruling party convinced the mayors by offering to pay debts of the municipalities.

Following mayors joined the AKP in yesterday's ceremony:

Osmaniye: Böcekli Town Mayor Doğan Öztürk from the Republican People's Party (CHP)

Hasanbeyli District Mayor Selahattin Denizoğlu from the Felicity Party (SP).

Kayseri: İncesu District Mayor Mustafa İlmek from the İYİ (Good) Party.

Erzincan: Kemah District Mayor Fethiye Atlı (independent).

Erzurum: Olur District Mayor Sıddık Demir (independent). (EKN/VK)