Ferdi Zeyrek was born in 1977 in Manisa. His father, Ahmet Zeyrek, known locally as “Tıraşçı Ahmet”, was a shopkeeper in Manisa’s bazaar. His mother was a homemaker. His family had resided in Manisa for many years. In 2003, Ferdi Zeyrek married Nurcan Zeyrek, with whom he had three daughters. Throughout his life, Zeyrek continued to reside in Manisa, maintaining close ties to both his family and professional life.

Educational Background

Zeyrek completed his primary, middle, and high school education in Manisa. He pursued his university studies in Bursa, graduating from the Department of Architecture at the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at Uludağ University. During his architectural education, he specialized in urban development, planning, and implementation projects.

Professional Career

After completing his military service, Zeyrek returned to his hometown of Manisa and established his own architectural firm. Through this firm, he carried out architectural design, interior space planning, and urban regeneration projects. During this period, he participated in numerous private and public sector projects.

Alongside his architectural practice, Zeyrek served for seven years at the Manisa Chamber of Architects, including a period as its president. He was also a member of the Manisa Academic Chambers Union and was elected to the Board of Directors of Manisaspor between 2012 and 2014.

Civil Society Activities

Zeyrek actively participated in civil society initiatives driven by his sensitivity toward urban memory and environmental values. He served as a leader in local environmental and cultural heritage campaigns such as “Do Not Touch Ulupark” and “Save Beyazfil”. Through these platforms, he organized campaigns aimed at preserving Manisa’s historical and public spaces.

Political Career

Ferdi Zeyrek began his political career under the banner of the Republican People’s Party (CHP).

• In the 2019 local elections, he was nominated by the CHP as a candidate for Mayor of Manisa Metropolitan Municipality.
• He served as a council member of both the Manisa Metropolitan Municipality and the Şehzadeler Municipality.
• He also held a position on the Urban Planning Commission.
• Within the CHP Yunusemre District Organization, he chaired the Urban Planning Commission.
• Subsequently, he served as the Provincial Chairman of the CHP in Manisa.

Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayoralty

Ferdi Zeyrek won the 31 March 2024 Local Elections as the candidate of the Republican People’s Party and was elected Mayor of Manisa Metropolitan Municipality.

Accident and Death

Ferdi Zeyrek, Mayor of Manisa Metropolitan Municipality, suffered severe injuries on the evening of Friday, 6 June 2025, after coming into contact with an electrical current in the pump room of the swimming pool at his home in Yunusemre district of Manisa. Initial investigations at the scene detected a leakage current ranging between 68 and 80 volts. According to technical reports, Zeyrek was exposed to an electrical current of life-threatening intensity for approximately three to five minutes. The cause of the accident was attributed to the failure of protective devices to activate due to high humidity levels in the pump room.

Following the incident, fire and medical teams were dispatched to the scene. After initial first aid, Zeyrek was transported to Hafsa Sultan Hospital of Manisa Celal Bayar University and admitted to the intensive care unit. He remained in intensive care for three days. During this period, Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu regularly provided updates to the public.

On 9 June 2025, Health Minister Memişoğlu announced: “Ferdi Zeyrek, Mayor of Manisa Metropolitan Municipality, who had been receiving treatment at the hospital following the accident, has passed away despite all medical interventions.”

The Manisa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched a judicial investigation into the incident. Detailed technical examinations of the residence were conducted by forensic teams and prosecutors, and over twenty individuals, including the first responders from medical and fire services and neighbors, were interviewed as witnesses.

Following the announcement of Zeyrek’s death, a large number of citizens gathered outside the hospital. CHP General Chairman Özgür Özel, members of parliament, and other mayors also visited the hospital to closely follow developments.

Following Zeyrek’s death, condolences poured in from across the political spectrum. High-level political figures including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly Numan Kurtulmuş, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, CHP General Chairman Özgür Özel, MHP General Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, İYİ Party General Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu, AK Party Acting Chairman Efkan Ala, AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, and Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun issued official messages of condolence.