A public official has been ousted from his position following the circulation of images showing him in biking gear, which stirred up a flurry of objections from fellow cycling enthusiasts.
Mehmet Fatih Cicekli, the governor of Ardahan province in eastern Turkey, was relieved of his duties on July 17 through a presidential decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
This action followed criticism from some Turkish politicians who disapproved of his choice to wear cycling attire during a public event promoting the sport and sharing the pictures on social media.
Inan Akgun Alp, a member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party, accused Mr. Cicekli of prioritizing social media over official responsibilities and deemed the tight-fitting clothing unsuitable for a governor.
During a recent televised debate in Turkey, Alp stated: “He parades around in cycling gear, spends his day cycling with bodyguards accompanying him, dressed in cycling attire until nighttime. A governor should not roam the city center in this manner.”
Samil Tayyar, a member of Erdogan’s ruling party, contended that the governor’s attire went against cultural norms, especially in a conservative region like Ardahan. He pointed out that other officials opted for looser clothing when cycling.
Tayyar stated, “Individuals can wear whatever they choose in their private lives, but a governor should not appear in public in cycling attire while on official duty; it does not align with the gravity of the state. In a traditional environment like Ardahan, this is entirely inappropriate,” as conveyed on X (formerly Twitter).
Mr. Cicekli, who assumed office as governor in January under Erdogan’s appointment, defended his choice of clothing by asserting that it was standard cycling wear.
He pledged to continue his active pursuits, stating, “I am an athlete engaged in sailing, rowing, and cycling. The attire I wear is athletic wear.”
A petition aiming to reinstate him has garnered over 10,000 signatures, with supporters highlighting his significant contributions to promoting sports, youth activities, and bicycle tourism.
In a heartfelt farewell to his supporters in Ardahan, Mr. Cicekli expressed, “I believe I have not disappointed those who supported and stood by me throughout my journey thus far. I consider this the greatest honor.”
As he departed the province, Mr. Cicekli was surrounded by supportive local cyclists, as reported by Halk TV.
Nacho Sanchez Amor, a member of the European Parliament from Spain overseeing Turkey in his capacity as rapporteur, voiced support for Mr. Cicekli and suggested that Mr. Alp was advancing the ruling party’s “Islamist conservative agenda.”
