ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Turkey’s Mayor of Izmir Cemil Tugay, formerly of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), joined Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) on Wednesday, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcoming him to the “family.”

Tugay was elected as mayor in April 2024, but left the CHP in June following a controversial court ruling involving the party that annulled the leadership of Ozgur Ozel on disputed legal grounds, with the latter accusing Erdogan of seeking to quash opposition politics through judicial rulings.

Ozel resigned from the party in July to launch the YENI Parti (New Party) along with 90 lawmakers.

“I welcome Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay who is today joining the AKP family," Erdogan said during a party meeting on Wednesday as he pinned the party badge on him.

"Izmir is different today, full of great enthusiasm," Erdogan added.

Tugay’s decision to join the ruling party was portrayed as a major achievement for the AKP, as the CHP had been the main opposition party challenging the government.

“I have come among you to join forces with those who have dedicated themselves to the cause of a great and powerful Turkey under his leadership, Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” Tugay said in a speech.

“God willing, under the leadership of our esteemed President, who possesses over 30 years of experience in state administration, and with the valuable support of the AK Party family, we are setting out to revitalize İzmir, resolve its issues, and virtually rebuild our city,” he added.

The CHP, previously the second-largest party with 135 lawmakers, now falls to fourth place with 44 seats, behind the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM Party), which holds 56 seats.

After the CHP lost the 2024 Turkish presidential election in a landslide and voted to replace its leadership, Kemal Kilicdaroglu - who had led the party for nearly 14 years - filed a legal challenge against Ozel, arguing that the congress in which he was replaced had been conducted illegally.

Erdogan's administration has intensified its crackdown on the CHP since the party secured major victories in the 2024 local elections, with numerous party officials arrested on various charges, including the former Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu, who was poised to be Erdogan's chief competitor in Turkey's next presidential elections.