Turkey's opposition leader Özel slams AKP over Üsküdar municipal shift
Turkish opposition leader Özgür Özel criticized President Erdoğan after AKP regained executive control in Üsküdar, while defending Mayor Yavaş's meeting with the president.
Turkey's opposition leader Özgür Özel has launched a sharp critique against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan following a controversial power shift in Istanbul's Üsküdar district. Addressing a public rally, Özel accused the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of disregarding democratic results after municipal council votes transferred local executive authority to the AKP, despite the opposition’s victory in local elections.
Separately, during a televised broadcast on Koza TV, Özel defended Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş’s recent meeting with Erdoğan. He emphasized that routine dialogue between local executives and the Turkish presidency remains essential for effective municipal governance.
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, 03:00 PM UTCÖzgür Özel condemns Üsküdar council vote and defends Yavaş talks with Erdoğan
- Oct 21, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCTurkey's opposition leader Özel denounces council vote in Istanbul's Üsküdar district
- 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