Turkey's opposition leader criticises AKP power transfer in Üsküdar

CHP leader Özgür Özel has criticized the transfer of administrative control in Üsküdar to the ruling AKP and clarified Mayor Mansur Yavaş's meeting with President Erdoğan.
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel has strongly criticized the transfer of administrative control in Istanbul's Üsküdar district to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Speaking at a rally in Üsküdar Square and during a broadcast on Koza TV, Özel described the recent council vote as one of the "darkest" and most tainted events in Turkish political history, directly challenging President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over democratic standards. Additionally, Özel addressed Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş's recent meeting with Erdoğan, clarifying that the discussion aimed exclusively at resolving municipal administrative obstacles facing the capital rather than engaging in broader political negotiations.
Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet
Sources
Earlier coverage
- Nov 3, 2026, 10:00 PM UTCCHP leader Özel denounces AKP control shift in Istanbul's Üsküdar district
- Nov 3, 2026, 04:00 PM UTCÖzgür Özel criticises AKP over Istanbul council vote controversy
- Nov 3, 2026, 03:30 AM UTCCHP leader Özel sharply criticizes Turkish government over Üsküdar council vote
- Nov 2, 2026, 10:00 PM UTCÖzgür Özel criticises AKP over Üsküdar vote and explains Yavaş-Erdoğan meeting
- Nov 2, 2026, 05:00 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader condemns AKP following Üsküdar council vote
- Nov 2, 2026, 09:30 AM UTCTurkey's opposition leader Özel criticises AKP over Üsküdar council vote
- Nov 2, 2026, 03:30 AM UTCTurkey's opposition leader denounces AKP over Üsküdar council vote
- Nov 1, 2026, 09:30 PM UTCTurkey's opposition leader Özel condemns council vote transferring Üsküdar mayoralty to AKP
- Nov 1, 2026, 03:30 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel criticizes AKP over Üsküdar mayoral vote
- Nov 1, 2026, 09:30 AM UTCTurkey's opposition leader denounces council vote transferring Üsküdar leadership to AKP