CHP leader Özel criticises AKP over Üsküdar council vote
CHP leader Özgür Özel has criticized the AKP over a municipal vote in Üsküdar and defended Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş's meeting with Erdoğan.
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel has denounced the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) after it regained executive authority in Istanbul's Üsküdar district following a municipal council vote.
Addressing supporters at Üsküdar Square during a public rally, Özel directly challenged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over the political shift, asking, "Is this your democracy?" Özel argued that the council's decision disregarded the democratic mandate established by voters who elected a CHP candidate during municipal elections.
In a separate television appearance on Koza TV, Özel addressed Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş's recent meeting with Erdoğan. Özel defended the meeting, stating that routine institutional communication between municipal executives and the presidency is necessary for governance.
Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet
Sources
Earlier coverage
- Oct 25, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCÖzgür Özel condemns municipal power shift in Istanbul's Üsküdar district
- Oct 25, 2026, 02:30 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader condemns transfer of Üsküdar municipal control to AKP
- Oct 25, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCCHP leader Özel criticises Erdoğan over Istanbul's Üsküdar municipal vote
- Oct 25, 2026, 02:00 AM UTCÖzgür Özel challenges Erdoğan over transfer of Istanbul's Üsküdar district to AKP
- Oct 24, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel condemns AKP council maneuver in Istanbul's Üsküdar district
- Oct 24, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCTurkey's opposition leader Özel criticises AKP over Üsküdar municipal vote
- Oct 23, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader criticises AKP after Üsküdar municipal shift
- Oct 23, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCCHP leader Özel slams AKP over Istanbul's Üsküdar leadership shift
- Oct 23, 2026, 08:30 AM UTCÖzgür Özel criticizes AKP over Üsküdar municipal vote while defending Yavaş-Erdoğan talks
- Oct 23, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCTurkey's CHP leader criticises AKP executive takeover in Üsküdar