Turkey's opposition leader denounces municipal authority transfer in Istanbul
CHP leader Özgür Özel has criticized the transfer of administrative authority in Istanbul's Üsküdar district to the ruling AKP, while clarifying Ankara Mayor Yavaş's meeting with Erdoğan.
Özgür Özel, leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), strongly criticized the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) over a disputed administrative shift in Istanbul's Üsküdar district. Speaking at a rally in Üsküdar and during a broadcast on Koza TV, Özel called the transfer of local council authority to the AKP a violation of democratic norms, emphasizing that the opposition had legitimately won the district in recent local elections.
Addressing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Özel questioned the president's commitment to democracy following the council's decision. Additionally, Özel clarified that a recent meeting between Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş and President Erdoğan was focused strictly on resolving municipal operational challenges in the capital rather than political negotiations.
Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet
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Earlier coverage
- Nov 5, 2026, 09:30 AM UTCTurkey's opposition leader criticises government over Üsküdar council vote
- Nov 5, 2026, 03:30 AM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel slams AKP over Üsküdar council transfer
- Nov 4, 2026, 04:00 PM UTCTurkey's opposition leader Özel denounces AKP takeover in Üsküdar council vote
- Nov 4, 2026, 10:00 AM UTCTurkey's opposition leader Özel slams AKP municipal takeover in Üsküdar
- Nov 4, 2026, 03:30 AM UTCTurkey's opposition leader criticises AKP power transfer in Üsküdar
- 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