Politics · Turkey · 16 hrs ago
Muğla Mayor Ahmet Aras says he will remain independent
Muğla Mayor Ahmet Aras says he will remain independent after leaving the CHP.
He resigned from the opposition party on 16 October, saying he no longer had room to do politics within it.
His departure prompted claims that he would join the AK Party, Turkey’s ruling party.
Aras rejected those claims and said he would not join any party.
He has said political arguments about him were overshadowing municipal services.
He says his focus is Muğla, the province he leads.
The sources say he will continue as mayor independently.
Muğla Mayor Ahmet Aras said he will remain independent and will not join another political party.
He rejected speculation that he would join the AK Party after resigning from the Republican People’s Party (CHP).
Aras said he left the CHP because he no longer had room to engage in politics there.
He resigned from the CHP on 16 October, saying political debate about him was overshadowing municipal services.
Reports of a possible move to the AK Party had circulated after his resignation.
- Who
- Ahmet Aras, mayor of Muğla.
- What
- He said he will remain independent and will not join another party.
- When
- He made the statement on 19 October 2026, according to reports published that day.
- Where
- Muğla, Türkiye.
- Why
- He said he had no room to engage in politics within the CHP. He also said political debate about him was overshadowing municipal services.
Claims of a move to the AK Party
Ahmet Aras
Political affiliation
Claims of a move to the AK Party
Reports and speculation said Aras might join the AK Party after leaving the CHP.
Ahmet Aras
Aras said he would not join any party and would remain independent.
Aras said he did not think it was right to join a party he had opposed in the election and stressed that voters’ choices should be respected.
Aras announced that he had resigned from the CHP and said he would continue his mayoral duties as an independent.
Aras rejected speculation that he would join the AK Party and said he would remain independent.
- Mayor
- Ahmet Aras
- Municipality
- Muğla Metropolitan Municipality
- Resignation date
- 16 October 2026
- Former party
- Republican People’s Party (CHP)
- Stated future status
- Independent
3 sources
What people are saying
I will not join anywhere. I will remain independent.
I no longer had room to engage in politics in the CHP. Isn’t the reason very clear? Everyone can see it. In fact, I could say I left it too late.
My side is Muğla.