CHP refers Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan to disciplinary board over sexist remarks

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Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Central Executive Committee has referred Bolu Provincial Mayor Tanju Özcan to the party's disciplinary board with a request for his warning.

Speaking to Armağan Çağlayan on his YouTube program, Özcan made sexist remarks about a woman who asked for his help about in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment (test-tube baby treatment).

Holding a press conference following the Central Executive Committee meeting yesterday (September 6), CHP Spokesperson Öztrak shared their decision about Tanju Özkan with the public:

"It is not possible for us to accept or stomach the inappropriate statement made by the Bolu Mayor about a woman from his home city. But he has understood his mistake and apologized before the public.

"Taking this apology into consideration, we have unanimously agreed at the Central Executive Committee that the Bolu Mayor be referred to the High Disciplinary Board with the request for giving him a warning due to his inappropriate remarks about a woman from his home city."

Discrimination against refugees

In late July 2021, Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan announced that a 10-fold increase would be introduced to the water bills and solid waste taxes of foreign nationals so that refugees will leave Bolu. His proposal has been accepted by a majority of votes at the municipal council.

The Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation against Özcan, bringing possible charges of "misconduct in office" and "hate and discrimination" against him over this announcement.

Shortly after he took office following the local elections on March 31, 2019, he also gave an instruction to cut the aid offered to refugees.

Erzurum Provincial Chair has resigned

On the other side, CHP Erzurum Provincial Chair Bülent Oğuz, who allegedly harassed a woman, has resigned from the party.

When journalists asked CHP Spokesperson Öztrak about the harassment allegations, he said, "Such allegations are not covered up at the CHP. It is not said, 'Don't let it out of this room.' Harassment is unacceptable. The resignation of the Erzurum Provincial Chair has been received. Apart from this, proceedings will continue at the judiciary and whatever the law says will happen." (KÖ/SD)