Özgür Özel condemns Üsküdar council vote and defends Yavaş talks with Erdoğan
CHP leader Özgür Özel condemned the transfer of executive authority in Üsküdar to the ruling AKP, while defending Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş's recent meeting with President Erdoğan.
Özgür Özel, leader of Turkey's opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), strongly criticized a recent council vote in Istanbul’s Üsküdar district that transferred municipal executive power to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Addressing supporters at a rally in Üsküdar, Özel condemned the move as a violation of democratic norms, maintaining that voters had decisively elected CHP leadership in the municipal elections.
Separately, during a broadcast on Koza TV, Özel commented on Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş’s recent meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The CHP chief defended the engagement, stating that institutional dialogue between local mayors and the presidency is necessary for governance.
Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet
Sources
Earlier coverage
- Oct 21, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCTurkey's opposition leader Özel slams AKP over Üsküdar municipal shift
- Oct 21, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCTurkey's opposition leader Özel denounces council vote in Istanbul's Üsküdar district
- Oct 21, 2026, 03:30 AM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel condemns AKP takeover in Üsküdar
- Oct 20, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCTurkey's opposition leader condemns AKP council maneuver in Istanbul's Üsküdar
- Oct 20, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCTurkey's opposition leader Özel slams ruling party over Üsküdar council vote
- Oct 20, 2026, 08:30 AM UTCCHP leader Özel condemns AKP municipal takeover in Üsküdar
- Oct 20, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCCHP leader Özel criticises AKP takeover of Üsküdar municipal post
- Oct 19, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCÖzgür Özel criticises AKP takeover of Üsküdar following council vote
- Oct 19, 2026, 03:30 PM UTCTurkey's CHP leader condemns AKP takeover of Üsküdar district
- Oct 19, 2026, 08:30 AM UTCTurkey's opposition leader Özel slams AKP takeover of Üsküdar municipal council