Opposition leader Özel condemns AKP takeover of Istanbul's Üsküdar district
Opposition leader Özgür Özel condemned the AKP's takeover of Istanbul's Üsküdar district while addressing Mayor Mansur Yavaş's meeting with President Erdoğan.
Main opposition Republican People's Party leader Özgür Özel has condemned the transfer of Istanbul's Üsküdar municipal leadership to the ruling Justice and Development Party following a controversial council vote. Speaking at a public rally and in a televised interview, Özel questioned President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's commitment to democratic standards, emphasizing that opposition Mayor Sinem Dedetaş had secured office through a direct popular vote. Özel described the council outcome as a significant setback for political fairness. Additionally, Özel commented on Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş's recent meeting with Erdoğan, maintaining that inter-party dialogue remains necessary despite deep institutional friction between the opposition and the administration.
Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet.
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Earlier coverage
- Oct 17, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader criticises AKP's municipal vote win in Istanbul's Üsküdar
- Oct 17, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCTurkish opposition leader sharply criticises AKP takeover in Istanbul's Üsküdar
- Oct 17, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCTurkey's main opposition leader condemns Üsküdar local election outcome
- Oct 16, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel condemns local council transfer in Üsküdar
- Oct 16, 2026, 04:30 PM UTCÖzgür Özel slams Üsküdar vote transfer to AKP and addresses Yavaş-Erdoğan talks
- Oct 16, 2026, 08:30 AM UTCTurkish opposition chief Özel condemns ruling party over Istanbul district vote
- Oct 16, 2026, 03:30 AM UTCTurkish opposition chief Özel slams AKP over Istanbul district vote
- Oct 15, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel condemns AKP over Üsküdar local vote
- Oct 15, 2026, 04:00 PM UTCTurkey's opposition leader criticises ruling party over Üsküdar municipal vote