Turkey's opposition leader Özel condemns council vote transferring Üsküdar mayoralty to AKP

Özgür Özel, leader of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), has strongly criticized 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’s İskele Square and during a television interview, Özel characterized the local council vote as a breach of democratic principles and an insult to voter choice, noting that the CHP had won the district during municipal elections.

Directly addressing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Özel questioned the government's commitment to democratic standards. During his television appearance, Özel also commented on a recent meeting between Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş and Erdoğan, clarifying that the discussion focused strictly on resolving municipal administrative obstacles in the capital.

Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet