Izmir Mayor Defects to AKP, Triggering Protests in Opposition Stronghold

Cemil Tugay, mayor of Izmir, has switched allegiance to President Erdoğan's AKP, a rare defection from the main opposition CHP in a key stronghold. The move has sparked street protests and local outrage, signaling potential shifts in Turkey's local political dynamics ahead of upcoming elections. The durability of the defection and its impact on CHP's base remain uncertain.