Turkey's opposition leader denounces council vote transferring Üsküdar leadership to AKP

Özgür Özel, leader of Turkey’s opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), has strongly condemned the transfer of the acting mayoralty in Istanbul’s Üsküdar district to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Speaking at a public rally in Üsküdar and during a television interview on Koza TV, Özel questioned President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s democratic credentials, describing the local council outcome as a breach of voter intent. He emphasized that the CHP had legitimately won the district in recent municipal elections and called the council process unethical.

Additionally, Özel addressed a recent meeting between Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş and President Erdoğan, explaining that the discussion focused strictly on resolving municipal administrative obstacles in the capital.

Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet