İskeçe Turkish Union holds high-turnout General Assembly, elects new board
The Xanthi Turkish Union (İTB) convened its general assembly on Sunday, April 26, with strong member participation, culminating in the election of new management and audit boards.
The assembly, held at the union’s premises, began with the presidium. Mehmet Hacıhalil was elected as chair, while Merve Kara and Binnur Osmanoğlu served as secretaries. A total of 467 members cast their votes.
Prior to proceedings, attendees observed a moment of silence in memory of deceased İTB executives and leaders of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace.
Opening remarks were delivered by İTB President Kerem Abdurahimoğlu and Mustafa Trampa, who also serves as head of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board.
Abdurahimoğlu presented the annual activity report, outlining the union’s work over the past year, followed by the audit report delivered by Murat Sebahattinoğlu. During the discussion segment, multiple members—including Ehat Can, Ahmet Kara, Hüseyin Zeybek, Burhan Baran, Ahmet Kurt, Hüseyin Baltacı and Ozan Ahmetoğlu—took the floor to share their views and proposals.
The outgoing board was unanimously discharged before voting commenced for the new leadership. Voting continued until 17:00.
Election Results
Management Board (votes received):
Kerem Abdurahimoğlu — 386
İpek Salihoğlu — 323
Aydın Cambaz — 247
Aysun Kara — 204
Zeynur Bargan — 204
Seher Ahmet — 193
Selin Delioğlu — 131
Audit Board:
İsmet Tüccar — 261
Seval Alidayı — 220
Yasemin Arap — 190
Following the vote, the new board was finalized under the leadership of assembly chair Mehmet Hacıhalil:
Management Board:
President: Kerem Abdurahimoğlu
Vice President: Zeynur Bargan
Secretary General: İpek Salihoğlu
Treasurer: Aydın Cambaz
Members: Aysun Kara, Seher Ahmet, Selin Delioğlu
Audit Board:
Chair: İsmet Tüccar
Members: Seval Alidayı, Yasemin Arap
The high turnout and active participation underscored the continued engagement of the Turkish minority community in İskeçe’s civic and organizational life.
