Erdogan fires governor for wearing tight cycling shorts

©picture alliance / Anadolu | Utku Ucrak

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has dismissed the governor of Ardahan Province, Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli, following controversy over his cycling outfit. The governor came under fire after photos surfaced showing him cycling in tight leggings and athletic wear. The incident has sparked fierce criticism in Turkey.

The backlash was particularly intense in parliament. Opposition lawmaker İnan Akgün Alp condemned the images and argued that a governor should not be seen in public wearing leggings. Even within the government, there was little sympathy for the provincial governor’s outfit. Former lawmaker Şamil Tayyar said that citizens would not take a governor seriously in such attire and that he would lose his authority as a result. Çiçekli defended himself by saying that he has been participating in sports at a near-professional level for years, including as a sailor, rower, and cyclist. According to him, he wears cycling attire only during training sessions and never during working hours. He made it clear that the images were from his free time and not from his official duties.

After the presidential decision, the governor reacted with resignation. He said it was “the decision of the elders” and added that he would simply continue to exercise and ride his bike. In doing so, he kept his tone remarkably calm, despite the political storm his outfit had caused. The matter has since evolved into more than just a discussion about sportswear. It also exposes how sensitive the public image of public officials in Turkey is, especially when such images go viral and reach parliament. For Çiçekli, his term as governor thus ends with a bizarre uproar, but not with an end to his cycling enjoyment.

©picture alliance / Anadolu | Utku Ucrak