Turkey's opposition leader criticises government over Üsküdar council vote

Özgür Özel, leader of Turkey's opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has strongly condemned the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) following a municipal council vote that transferred local authority in Istanbul's Üsküdar district back to the government.

Speaking at a public gathering in Üsküdar and during an interview on Koza TV, Özel described the council proceedings as "the darkest, most polluted" political election moment in Turkey's history. He argued that the CHP had legitimately won the district in recent local elections and directly challenged President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over democratic standards.

Özel also addressed a recent meeting between Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş and Erdoğan, stating the discussions focused purely on municipal matters rather than political negotiations.

Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet