The President of Turkey dismissed the governor of one of the country's eastern provinces without stating an official reason. Shortly before this, the official found himself at the center of a public dispute: politicians were outraged by his photos and videos in cycling gear, which he regularly posted on social media. They argued that such behavior was not befitting a governor's status.
The Telegraph provides details.
Last week, the President of Turkey, by decree, dismissed Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli, the governor of Ardahan province. Prior to this, the official had been criticized for several months for his social media activity and passion for cycling.
Çiçekli regularly published photos and videos from cycling races and training sessions, in which he was dressed in tight Lycra cycling leggings. These very leggings became the main reason for attacks against him from other politicians.
İnan Akgün Alp, a deputy from the Republican People's Party, expressed the strongest criticism. "A governor in leggings? This is simply unacceptable. Such governors should be removed from office or at least be given a fig leaf," he stated. According to the deputy, Çiçekli "forgot the seriousness and dignity of public service."
Şamil Tayyar, a deputy from the ruling Justice and Development Party, also criticized him. He stated that the governor's constant appearance in cycling gear undermined the authority of his position.
"Neither citizens nor his subordinates will take a governor in leggings seriously. He has no authority," Tayyar said.
Reportedly, 49-year-old Çiçekli has been working in the public administration system since 2004, and was appointed governor of Ardahan only in January. He was removed from office on July 17.
However, the very next day, a petition appeared online demanding the official's reinstatement. It quickly gathered almost 10,000 signatures.
Its authors claim that Çiçekli did a lot to develop youth sports and cycling tourism in the mountainous province. According to them, thanks to his initiatives, more and more young people started engaging in sports.
Çiçekli himself is an avid cyclist. He proposed organizing a cycling festival in Ardahan and also shared videos of his rowing training on his social media.
News of the governor's dismissal was also met negatively in Europe. The European Parliament's rapporteur for Turkey, Nacho Sánchez Amor, accused İnan Akgün Alp of supporting an Islamo-conservative agenda.
Çiçekli himself also sees nothing unusual in his choice of clothing.
"It's just sportswear. Sometimes one should forget about positions and titles and remember that you are primarily a human being. Sports, cycling, or rowing are not bad things. On the contrary, people of all ages should engage in them," he said after his dismissal and promised "to keep pedaling."
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