Opposition party CHP expels Hatay Municipality ex-mayor over disciplinary violations

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) announced the expulsion of Lutfu Savas, former mayor of Hatay Metropolitan Municipality, following disciplinary action initiated over his remarks criticizing the party’s stance and its alleged connections to terrorism.

Lutfu Savas had been referred to the party’s disciplinary committee with a demand seeking definitive expulsion after his controversial post on X (formerly Twitter), in which he stated, “Today’s CHP is preoccupied with the DEM Party. As a party, we cannot defend those who establish connections with terrorism or exploit terrorism for political gains, regardless of who they are or what formation they belong to.”

HAYDİ KURUCU PARTİNİN VATANSEVERLERİ ! YA BUGÜN KENDİMİZE VE PARTİMİZE YAKIŞANI YAPACAĞIZ… YA DA YOK OLACAĞIZ!
Bölge yangın yeri. Savaş kapımızda. Emperyalist güçler bölgemizde sınırları değiştirmeye başladı….

Terör örgütleri üzerinden içimize fitnelik sokan, etnik çatışma… pic.twitter.com/2Xc1wEE1rb

— Lütfü Savaş 🇹🇷 (@DocDrLutfuSavas) November 3, 2024

The CHP disciplinary board upheld the recommendation for expulsion, officially severing Savas’ ties with the party.

Background: Controversial statements lead to disciplinary action

The disciplinary action follows an array of comments from Savas, including statements made regarding the removal of CHP’s Esenyurt mayor on charges of being associated with the PKK.

“Those who seek to establish terrorist states on our borders or small separatist states within our borders will always face the great Turkish nation,” Savas said.

Who is Lutfu Savas?

Born on March 23, 1965, in Yayladagi, Hatay, Lutfu Savas is an experienced medical professional and politician.

• Education: Graduated from Eskisehir Anadolu University Faculty of Medicine in 1990.
• Career:
  • He worked as a physician in Kayseri and Balikesir between 1990 and 1996.
  • Completed specialization in infectious diseases and clinical microbiology in 2000 at Okmeydani SSK Training and Research Hospital.
  • Held administrative roles at Mustafa Kemal University in Hatay, including deputy chief physician and rector’s advisor.
  • Obtained the title of associate professor in 2007.
• Political career:
  • Elected Mayor of Antakya in 2009 with the Justice and Development Party (AK Party).
  • Elected Mayor of Hatay Metropolitan Municipality in 2014 and 2019 under CHP.

Savas, married with two children, has now concluded his political association with CHP.