Draft:Murat Bakan

Murat Bakan (born 1972, Ankara, Turkey) is a Turkish lawyer, politician, and Member of Parliament representing İzmir for the Republican People's Party (CHP). At the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP, he was elected as a Member of the Party Assembly and appointed as the Shadow Cabinet Member responsible for the Ministry of Interior and Deputy Chairperson of the Party. Since his initial election in the June 2015 general elections, he has served in the 26th, 27th, and 28th parliamentary terms. Bakan is known for his advocacy on environmental sustainability, human rights, and municipal governance.

Early Life and Education

Murat Bakan was born in 1972 in Ankara to a family originally from Zile, Tokat Province. His father, a non-commissioned officer in the Turkish Armed Forces, was stationed in Ankara at the time of his birth. Bakan attended Bayrak Garrison Elementary School before completing the remainder of his education in İzmir.

He graduated from the Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Law, after which he began practicing as an independent lawyer alongside his wife, Selin Bakan, who is also a lawyer. The couple has a son, Yiğit Kemal Bakan.

Throughout his career, Bakan has actively participated in both national and international projects aimed at improving urban governance, with a particular focus on environmental policies and sustainable development.

Political Career

Murat Bakan's political career spans a wide range of roles within the CHP and local government. His contributions include:

Latest Position

At the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP, held in 2023, Murat Bakan was elected as a Member of the Party Assembly. He was subsequently appointed as the Shadow Cabinet Member responsible for the Ministry of Interior and Deputy Chairperson of the Party.

Early Career

In the 2004 local elections, Bakan ran as a candidate for municipal council member.
He contested the 2007 general elections as a parliamentary candidate for İzmir's 2nd electoral district.
During the 2009 local elections, he served as the Head of İzmir’s Election Coordination Board.

Municipal Roles

Bakan held several municipal governance roles from 2009 to 2014:

Member of the Karabağlar Municipal Council (2009–2014).
Vice Chair of the CHP Group in Karabağlar Municipal Council (2010–2012).
Chair of the Karabağlar Legal Committee (2009–2013).
Member of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Council (2009–2014).
Spokesperson for the CHP Group in İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Council (2009–2014).
Chair of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Legal Committee (2012–2014).

He was also the Founding Chair of the Karabağlar City Council (2009–2013), a founding member of the İzmir City Councils Union, and an honorary member of the Turkish City Councils Platform.

Parliamentary Career

Elected to the Turkish Grand National Assembly in 2015, Bakan has since served as a CHP Member of Parliament for İzmir in three consecutive terms. His parliamentary roles include:

26th Term: Member of the Interior Affairs Commission and the National Defense Commission.
27th Term: Member of the Environment Commission and CHP Group Chair. Played an active role in the Parliamentary Research Commission on Climate Change, Drought Mitigation, and Efficient Water Resource Management.

28th Term: Continued as a CHP Member of Parliament for İzmir.

Bakan is particularly recognized for his efforts to combat climate change, promote renewable energy policies, and advance human rights legislation.

Personal Life

Murat Bakan is married to Selin Bakan, and they have one son. Outside of politics, Bakan is a licensed amateur pilot, with certifications for flying gyrocopters and ultralight aircraft. His interest in aviation complements his environmental advocacy, as he often uses aerial perspectives to raise awareness about ecological conservation.