Mehmet Fatih Cicekli, the governor of Ardahan province in eastern Turkey, was removed from his post by a presidential decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after images of him wearing tight cycling shorts went viral. The decision came amid criticism from fellow politicians who deemed the attire inappropriate for a public official.
Controversy Over Cycling Attire
Cicekli, an avid cyclist, was photographed in snug lycra cycling shorts during a public event promoting the sport and posted the images on social media. Shortly after, he was dismissed. While no official reason was given for his removal, the backlash from Turkish politicians highlighted concerns over his conduct.
Inan Akgun Alp, a member of the main opposition Republican People's Party, accused Cicekli of prioritizing social media over official duties. “He goes around in tights, spends all day cycling, with bodyguards in front of him, cycling in tights until the evening,” Alp said during a parliamentary debate, as quoted by T-24 news website. “A governor cannot wander around the city centre like this.” Alp even displayed a picture at a rally and remarked, “Such governors are unacceptable. Either remove these governors or at least send them fig leaves to wear.”
Cultural Norms and Political Reactions
Samil Tayyar, a former legislator from Erdogan's ruling party, which has roots in Turkey's Islamic movement, argued that the attire was contrary to cultural norms, especially in a conservative province like Ardahan. “People can wear whatever they want in their private lives, but a governor cannot visit the public in tights while on duty; it does not align with the seriousness of the state. In a traditional social setting like Ardahan, it is completely unacceptable,” Tayyar wrote on X.
Cicekli, appointed governor by Erdogan in January, defended himself, stating that his clothing was standard cycling gear. “(We will) keep pedaling. I am an athlete who practices sailing, rowing and cycling. The clothes I’m wearing are sportswear,” he told T-24.
Public Support and Petition Campaign
Despite his dismissal, Cicekli has garnered significant public support. A petition campaign to reinstate him has collected over 10,000 signatures, with supporters arguing that he was engaged in important work promoting sports, youth activities, and bicycle tourism in Ardahan, according to opposition-leaning Halk TV.
In an emotional farewell on July 22, Cicekli addressed his supporters: “I believe that I have not let down those who vouched for me and stood by me throughout my journey until now. I believe that this is the greatest honor of all.”
International Reactions
Nacho Sánchez Amor, a member of the European Parliament from Spain who serves as the rapporteur on Turkey, expressed support for Cicekli and suggested that Alp was promoting the ruling party's “Islamist conservative agenda.”
