Turkey's CHP leader criticises AKP after Üsküdar municipal council shift
Turkish opposition leader Özgür Özel has criticized the ruling AKP over its takeover of Istanbul's Üsküdar district council and commented on talks between Ankara's mayor and President Erdoğan.
Özgür Özel, leader of Turkey's opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has condemned the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) after it gained control of Istanbul's Üsküdar district council. Speaking at a public rally in Üsküdar and during a television broadcast, Özel called the outcome anti-democratic and directly challenged President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, asking, "Is this your democracy?"
Özel asserted that local voters had chosen the CHP and characterized the council transition as a severe blow to local democracy.
Separately, Özel addressed a recent meeting between Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş and President Erdoğan. He explained that the discussions were routine administrative consultations aimed at overcoming bureaucratic obstacles that hinder municipal services in the capital.
Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet
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Earlier coverage
- Oct 29, 2026, 09:30 PM UTCCHP leader Özel condemns AKP council takeover in Istanbul's Üsküdar
- Oct 29, 2026, 09:30 AM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel slams AKP over Üsküdar council outcome
- Oct 29, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCCHP leader Özgür Özel criticises Turkish ruling party over Üsküdar council vote
- Oct 28, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel criticises AKP over Üsküdar council vote
- Oct 28, 2026, 03:30 PM UTCÖzgür Özel sharply criticises AKP following Üsküdar local council vote
- Oct 28, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCÖzgür Özel criticizes AKP over Üsküdar vote and clarifies Yavaş-Erdoğan meeting
- Oct 28, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCTurkey's opposition leader Özel criticises Üsküdar municipal vote outcome
- Oct 27, 2026, 09:30 PM UTCCHP leader Özgür Özel criticizes AKP over Üsküdar municipal transfer
- Oct 27, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCCHP leader Özel condemns Üsküdar council vote passing control to AKP
- Oct 27, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel criticizes AKP over Üsküdar vote