Erdoğan dismisses governor after criticism over public appearance in cycling outfit

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a decree today, replacing the governor of the eastern province of Ardahan, Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli.

While such decrees do not specify the reasoning behind the decisions, the decree follows criticism from opposition and a public debate early this month over Çiçekli's public cycling appearances in athletic attire, and his interactions with the public in that outfit.

İnan Akgün Alp, an MP from the secularist main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), called for Çiçekli's removal during a parliamentary speech on Jul 5.

"There cannot be a governor with leggings. Either remove these governors or send them a fig leaf to wear," the lawmaker said, arguing that the governor's behavior was "not suitable for the seriousness of the state."

The matter had escalated into a quarrel in parliament after some lawmakers reacted to Alp's remarks.

Çiçekli did not directly respond to the criticism but reposted messages supporting him on his social media account.

Şamil Tayyar, a former lawmaker from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and a frequent commentator on public debates, also supported the dismissal of the governor.

"Governors represent the state, they are the president's frontier commanders in the province. They have to act in accordance with this representation," Tayyar wrote today on social media. "Neither citizens nor the public personnel he manages will take a governor in leggings seriously, and he cannot establish state authority."

Tayyar also questioned "according to what criteria people with such a mindset are appointed as governors."

Ömer Hilmi Yamlı, the district governor of Şehitkamil in Antep, has been appointed to replace Çiçekli. (VK)