Turkey's opposition leader Özel denounces council vote in Istanbul's Üsküdar district
CHP leader Özgür Özel criticized the transfer of Üsküdar district authority to the AKP while defending Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş's meeting with President Erdoğan.
Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel has condemned a recent local council vote that transferred executive authority in Istanbul’s Üsküdar district to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Speaking at a public rally in Üsküdar, Özel accused the government of violating democratic principles, asserting that voters had legitimately elected CHP leadership in the municipal polls.
Separately, during an interview on Koza TV, Özel addressed Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş's recent meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The opposition leader defended the talks, arguing that direct institutional communication between municipal heads and the presidency is necessary for public administration.
Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet
Sources
Earlier coverage
- Oct 22, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCTurkish opposition leader condemns AKP power shift in Istanbul's Üsküdar district
- Oct 21, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCTurkey's opposition leader Özel slams AKP over Üsküdar municipal shift
- Oct 21, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCÖzgür Özel condemns Üsküdar council vote and defends Yavaş talks with Erdoğan
- Oct 21, 2026, 03:30 AM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel condemns AKP takeover in Üsküdar
- Oct 20, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCTurkey's opposition leader condemns AKP council maneuver in Istanbul's Üsküdar
- Oct 20, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCTurkey's opposition leader Özel slams ruling party over Üsküdar council vote
- Oct 20, 2026, 08:30 AM UTCCHP leader Özel condemns AKP municipal takeover in Üsküdar
- Oct 20, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCCHP leader Özel criticises AKP takeover of Üsküdar municipal post
- Oct 19, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCÖzgür Özel criticises AKP takeover of Üsküdar following council vote
- Oct 19, 2026, 03:30 PM UTCTurkey's CHP leader condemns AKP takeover of Üsküdar district