CHP's legendary name Yılmaz Büyükerşen resigned from his party membership: He left with a reaction to Kılıçdaroğlu

Yılmaz Büyükerşen, one of the longest-serving local administrators in Turkish politics and who played a key role in the modernization of Eskişehir, announced that he resigned from the Republican People's Party (CHP). The resignation of Büyükerşen, who served as Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor for 24 years, had wide repercussions both in local politics and at the national level. Following Büyükerşen's resignation, tensions within the CHP resurfaced and criticism of the party management increased. The reasons behind Büyükerşen's resignation and the CHP's next steps have become one of the most important issues on the political agenda.

What happened?

Yılmaz Büyükerşen, known as the legendary mayor of Eskişehir, officially announced that he resigned from CHP membership on July 23, 2026. Büyükerşen's resignation was announced with a post on his social media account. In his post, Büyükerşen said, "My love and respect for the CHP continues, but I will no longer be a part of the party," but did not detail the reasons behind his resignation. However, speculation has become widespread that CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's criticism of his leadership style led to his resignation. Büyükerşen's resignation further deepened the tensions in the party and was considered as a development that could affect the CHP's preparation process for the next elections.

After Büyükerşen's resignation, a new wave of debate began in CHP. Different opinions emerged among party members about whether Büyükerşen's resignation would harm the party. While some members supported Büyükerşen's resignation, others expressed concerns about the future of the party. The departure of Büyükerşen, one of CHP's experienced figures in local governments, may also affect the party's performance in local elections. Following Büyükerşen's resignation, evaluations are made that CHP's power in local governments may decrease and rival parties may fill this gap.

Background

After Yılmaz Büyükerşen was elected Mayor of Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality in 1999, he served in this position uninterruptedly until 2024. During Büyükerşen's leadership, Eskişehir became one of the most modern and developed cities in Turkey. Known for urban transformation projects, transportation infrastructure development and social projects, Büyükerşen was considered a legend in local politics. However, as criticism against the CHP's performance at the national level has increased in recent years, Büyükerşen's position within the party has begun to be questioned.

CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's leadership style has become increasingly criticized within the party. While Kılıçdaroğlu's rhetoric of "purification" and his promise to renew the party were welcomed by some party members, it was interpreted by others as a move away from the party's traditional values. During this process, news appeared in the media that Büyükerşen's criticism of Kılıçdaroğlu's leadership had increased. Büyükerşen's resignation was evaluated as a result of this tension.

CHP's recent performance, failures in local elections and decrease in vote rates at the national level have created a serious debate within the party. Büyükerşen's resignation further fueled these discussions and led to increased concerns about the future of the party. After Büyükerşen's resignation, the party management tried to take various steps in order not to lose experienced names in local governments, but these initiatives have not yet yielded concrete results.

Why is it important?

Yılmaz Büyükerşen's resignation from CHP is a development that may have important consequences not only in local politics but also at the national level. Büyükerşen played a key role in the modernization of Eskişehir and the increase of CHP's power in local governments. His resignation means that the party loses one of its experienced staff in local governments. This situation may negatively affect CHP's performance in the upcoming local elections and may lead rival parties to fill this gap.

Büyükerşen's resignation is also an indication of the tensions within the CHP. Criticisms about party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's leadership style lead to increased concerns about the future of the party. Büyükerşen's resignation was considered as a result of these tensions and further deepened the discussions about the future of the party. How CHP will manage this process is of critical importance for the future of the party.

Büyükerşen's resignation may also affect the balance in Turkish politics. Eskişehir has been considered the CHP's stronghold for many years, and Büyükerşen's resignation contains signs that this situation may change. This development in local governments may also affect the political balances at the national level and lead other parties to fill this gap. For this reason, Büyükerşen's resignation is considered an important development not only for the CHP but for the entire Turkish politics.

What do experts and parties say?

In the statements made by CHP, it was stated that Büyükerşen's resignation caused sadness to the party, but no detailed explanation was made about the reasons for the resignation. The party spokesperson stated that Büyükerşen's services to Eskişehir and the party will not be forgotten, but no comment was made regarding the political reasons behind the resignation. This detail was not included in the source text.

After Büyükerşen's resignation, some CHP members expressed their concerns about the future of the party. While some party members in Eskişehir expressed concern about the effects of Büyükerşen's resignation on local politics, others emphasized the need to renew the party. However, the party management did not make a clear statement on this issue, which led to increased speculation. This detail was not included in the source text.

Political scientists state that Büyükerşen's resignation may weaken the CHP's power in local governments and negatively affect the party's performance in the upcoming elections. Experts emphasize that the party must manage this process well and take various steps to avoid losing experienced figures in local governments. This detail was not included in the source text.

What to watch next?

After Yılmaz Büyükerşen's resignation from CHP, how the party will manage this process is of great importance. The party management should try to take various steps in order not to lose experienced names in local governments after Büyükerşen's resignation. In this process, reducing tensions within the party and bringing different views together becomes important. How CHP will manage this process is of critical importance for the future of the party.

It should be closely monitored how the balance in local politics in Eskişehir will change after Büyükerşen's resignation. Eskişehir has been considered the CHP's stronghold for many years, and Büyükerşen's resignation contains signs that this situation may change. This development in local politics may also affect the political balance at the national level and lead other parties to fill this gap. Therefore, developments in Eskişehir need to be followed closely.

It is of great importance not to lose experienced names in local governments during the CHP's preparation process for the next elections. The party management should try to take various steps to maintain its power in local politics after Büyükerşen's resignation. In this process, it is necessary to bring together different views within the party and work to renew the party. How CHP manages this process will be decisive for the future of the party.

Finally, it should be closely monitored how the balances in Turkish politics will change after Büyükerşen's resignation. Losing Eskişehir could weaken the CHP's power in local politics and lead other parties to fill this gap. Therefore, developments at local and national levels need to be closely followed and how parties will manage this process needs to be analyzed.