Özlem Çerçioğlu — ‘Iron Efe’ of Aydın — at the Center of AKP Joining Rumors

Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu, a veteran of 23 years in Turkish politics with the CHP, is facing fresh speculation about leaving her party to join the ruling AKP. The rumors gained traction after CHP Chairman Özgür Özel hinted that Çerçioğlu may be preparing for the move due to legal pressures related to investigations involving businessman Ahmet İhsan Aktaş.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has also stated that there will be an official AKP membership ceremony on 14 August, fueling further political chatter.

Çerçioğlu, 57, has served as Aydın’s mayor since 2009 and was re-elected in the 31 March 2024 local elections with 50.2% of the vote, defeating AKP candidate Mustafa Savaş, who received 36.2%. Before becoming mayor, she served two terms as a CHP member of parliament and was known for her investments in rural development, agricultural support programs, and social projects — earning her the nickname “Iron Efe.”

While she has not publicly denied the AKP rumors, Özel has criticized her, suggesting she “failed to show courage” and reminding the public of other CHP mayors who have faced imprisonment. Political insiders claim tensions between Çerçioğlu and CHP’s new leadership have been ongoing since 2024, leaving her politically isolated within the party.

Known for her strong nationalist stance within CHP, Çerçioğlu has been a vocal critic of AKP policies, frequently complaining about what she describes as excessive government inspections. She claimed that in 2015 alone, 140 inspectors were assigned to investigate the municipality, with repeated audits over the years.

The coming days will determine whether the long-serving mayor remains with CHP or makes the controversial switch to AKP, a move that could significantly alter Aydın’s political landscape.

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