CHP deputy Özgür Özel announced that many mayors from the Black Sea region asked him, 'Should we resign?' Özel said he answered this question with 'Don't' and conveyed the same call to provincial and district heads. Özel's statement drew attention as a clue about the current situation in the party and the concerns of the mayors. He emphasized that no step should be taken towards leaving the party or resigning. Sources reported that Özel made this call through Cumhuriyet and responded to questions directed to him especially by mayors from the Black Sea region on this matter.