Gülşah Durbay’s Name Entrusted to the Youth of Bornova

Tears and politics marked the opening:
“Service, not perception.”
“İzmir is not a city to be wagged a finger at.”

The name of Gülşah Durbay, the first female mayor of Manisa and Mayor of Şehzadeler, who passed away on December 14, 2025, at the age of 37, will now live on in a new center dedicated to youth education and production in Bornova. The Gülşah Durbay Youth Center, established by Bornova Municipality, was inaugurated with a large and emotional ceremony.

Among those attending were CHP Deputy Group Chair Ali Mahir Başarır; CHP Deputy Chairs Gökçe Gökçen and Yankı Bağcıoğlu; CHP İzmir MPs Deniz Yücel and Ednan Arslan; CHP İzmir Provincial Chair Çağatay Güç; CHP Youth Branch Chair Cem Aydın; Manisa Metropolitan Mayor Besim Dutlulu; İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Atilla Baysak; and numerous local administrators.

A message from CHP Chair Özgür Özel, who was unable to attend due to prior commitments, was read at the ceremony. The event began with a moment of silence and the National Anthem, followed by a screening of a film about Gülşah Durbay’s life, which led to emotional moments in the hall. However, the speakers did not limit themselves to messages of remembrance; they also voiced criticisms of the central government.

Başarır Criticizes İzmir Remarks and the Sovereign Wealth Fund

CHP Deputy Group Chair Ali Mahir Başarır described Gülşah Durbay as “a daughter of the party” and said her loss at such a young age was deeply painful. Emphasizing that her name would live on in the lives of young people, he directed criticism at the ruling AK Party during his speech.

Responding to past remarks by AK Party Secretary General and İzmir MP Eyyüp Kadir İnan suggesting he should not enter İzmir, Başarır stated that İzmir is not a city where anyone can impose restrictions. He also criticized the transfer process of İzmir Port through the Sovereign Wealth Fund, arguing that public assets were being handed over to circles close to the government. Referring to attempts concerning municipal properties, Başarır said CHP-run municipalities stand firm with the support of the people and concluded with a challenge: “If you dare, let’s take to the streets in İzmir.” He further argued that peace and economic stability cannot be achieved without a change in government.

Gökçen: “This Grief Is Also a Responsibility”

CHP Deputy Chair Gökçe Gökçen delivered an emotional speech, noting that she shared both friendship and political companionship with Gülşah Durbay and that the loss still feels as fresh as the first day. She emphasized that this grief should not remain merely a personal sorrow but must transform into a responsibility to strengthen youth representation in politics.

Gökçen argued that young people are left alone in an environment of economic and social insecurity and that local governments are filling gaps left by central policies through social support mechanisms. She stated that keeping Durbay’s name alive in a youth center symbolizes the need for young people to take a greater role in decision-making processes.

Cem Aydın: “Young People Wake Up to Crisis”

CHP Youth Branch Chair Cem Aydın criticized the government’s youth policies, stating that young people in Turkey wake up every morning to economic crisis, unemployment, and housing problems. He argued that the central administration fails to provide sufficient support to youth, while CHP municipalities directly impact young lives through scholarships, dormitories, and social projects. Summarizing their approach with the phrase “We produce service, not perception,” Aydın stressed that young people are not merely a voter base remembered during election periods but essential actors who must have a voice in decision-making mechanisms.

Çağatay Güç: “The ‘Rent’ Narrative Is a Political Tool”

CHP İzmir Provincial Chair Çağatay Güç focused on allegations of “rent-seeking” directed at CHP municipalities, describing them as political attempts at discreditation. Citing zoning practices in certain AK Party-run municipalities, particularly Menemen, he argued that the real issues lie elsewhere. “No one can suppress a people-powered municipal governance,” he said, adding that they will continue to produce despite central pressure.

Besim Dutlulu: “This Country Needs Change”

Manisa Metropolitan Mayor Besim Dutlulu addressed both local losses in Manisa and the broader national agenda. He argued that economic difficulties, pensioner and farmer issues, and inequality of opportunity in education cannot be resolved under the current governing approach. He stated that the efforts of local administrations remain limited without support from central policies and openly called for a change in government.

Ömer Eşki: “Our Projects Are Being Blocked”

Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki shared a personal memory in his speech while also delivering strong political messages. He claimed that proposed school and public square projects in Bornova were blocked at the ministerial level. Although they accepted a proposal to build three schools instead of one, he said the land allocation was rejected. He also stated that despite a commitment to open a school for children with autism, the process was halted, and later the municipality was accused of “not building schools.”

Criticizing the central administration over İzmir Port and public properties, Eşki also referenced foundation projects and unfinished mosque constructions. He framed his speech politically with the words: “İzmir is not a place where you can wag your finger. İzmir is the city of Mustafa Kemal.”

Eşki further announced that the upper floor of the center would also be purchased and converted into an additional educational space for students preparing for university entrance exams, stating that the municipality would continue striving to ensure equality of opportunity in education where it believes the government has fallen short.

İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Atilla Baysak also highlighted the importance of the investment and thanked Bornova Municipality and Mayor Ömer Eşki.

A Space of Remembrance Dedicated to Youth

Located in Ergene Neighborhood at the entrance of the Historic Bornova Bazaar, the center consists of three floors with a total indoor area of 250 square meters. It will serve young people with a cafeteria, meeting areas, a free laundry service, a 3D printer workshop, a green screen studio, and both quiet and collaborative study spaces.