Turkey's main opposition leader condemns Üsküdar local election outcome
CHP leader Özgür Özel condemned the transfer of Üsküdar's deputy mayoralty to the ruling AKP, calling the vote outcome a dark moment for Turkish democracy.
Main opposition leader Özgür Özel has sharply criticized the recent transfer of power in Istanbul's Üsküdar district council to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Speaking at a public rally in Üsküdar Square and during a broadcast on Koza TV, Özel described the council vote outcome as "the darkest, most polluted" moment in Turkey's recent political history.
Addressing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Özel questioned the government's commitment to democratic standards, emphasizing that opposition Mayor Sinem Dedetaş had originally won the municipality with legitimate voter support. Özel also addressed Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş's recent meeting with Erdoğan, explaining the necessity of political dialogue despite ongoing tensions.
Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet.
Sources
Earlier coverage
- Oct 17, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader criticises AKP's municipal vote win in Istanbul's Üsküdar
- Oct 17, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCOpposition leader Özel condemns AKP takeover of Istanbul's Üsküdar district
- Oct 17, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCTurkish opposition leader sharply criticises AKP takeover in Istanbul's Üsküdar
- 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