CHP expels three Istanbul district mayors over rival party work

September 30, 2026 at 07:00 PM2 min

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Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) expelled three Istanbul district mayors on Tuesday. The decision targets Kadıköy Mayor Mesut Kösedağı, Sancaktepe Mayor Alper Yeğin and Sarıyer Mayor Mustafa Oktay Aksu. The expulsions come as the party leadership under Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu moves against members accused of working for a rival party.

Key Facts

The CHP expelled Kadıköy Mayor Mesut Kösedağı, Sancaktepe Mayor Alper Yeğin and Sarıyer Mayor Mustafa Oktay Aksu.
The decision was taken at a CHP Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting chaired by party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.
CHP spokesperson Müslim Sarı had previously said some mayors and council members were working for a new party while remaining in the CHP.
The expulsions may extend beyond the three Istanbul district mayors, according to A Haber correspondent İlter Yeşiltaş.

The Expulsion Decision

The CHP Central Executive Board, meeting under party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, reviewed recent political developments and the situation in municipalities. After comprehensive evaluations, the board decided to expel Kadıköy Mayor Mesut Kösedağı, Sancaktepe Mayor Alper Yeğin and Sarıyer Mayor Mustafa Oktay Aksu. The three mayors were referred to the party's disciplinary board with a request for definitive expulsion.

Reason for Expulsion

A Haber correspondent İlter Yeşiltaş reported that CHP spokesperson Müslim Sarı had earlier stated that some mayors and municipal council members were working for a new party while remaining in the CHP. The expulsion decision may have been taken on the grounds that the mayors were working on behalf of another party without leaving the CHP. An official statement on the reasons for the decision has not yet been made.

Wider Purge

The expulsion decisions may not be limited to the three Istanbul district mayors. İlter Yeşiltaş said that, on the instructions of the CHP leadership and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, expulsion decisions have also been taken regarding other mayors. CHP spokesperson Müslim Sarı is expected to officially announce the reasons for the institutional expulsion decisions in the coming minutes.