Mayor of Turkey’s western Bursa province resigns

By Huseyin Yesilkavak

BURSA-Turkey

The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party mayor of Turkey’s western province of Bursa has resigned from his post on Monday.

Speaking to the media in Bursa to announce his resignation, Recep Altepe said: “We will not be in conflict with our party and our leaders. We will not clash and will also not make any damage.”

Last month, Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas also resigned from his post, saying he would not cut ties with the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.

Earlier this month, Duzce Mayor Mehmet Keles and last week, the mayor of the central Nigde province, Faruk Aydogan -- both AK Party members -- also resigned from their posts.

On Oct. 3, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is also the AK Party chairman, had hinted to press members in Ankara that the recent resignations were part of a reform of the party before the 2019 local elections.

"I hope we will prepare for the elections with a much livelier, more dynamic, stronger structure," he said.

In a speech last May, the president also said the ruling party had been suffering from "metal fatigue" and needed a substantial change.