Turkey's opposition leader Özel criticises AKP over Üsküdar municipal vote

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel criticized Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) after a local council vote handed executive control of Istanbul's Üsküdar district back to the AKP. Speaking at a public rally in Üsküdar, Özel directly challenged President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over democratic standards following the shift in municipal leadership.

In a separate television interview on Koza TV, Özel described the council vote as one of the darkest moments in Turkish electoral history. He also addressed recent talks between Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş and Erdoğan, defending the meeting as a necessary administrative step to maintain public services and local governance.

Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet