Turkey's opposition leader Özel slams AKP takeover of Üsküdar municipal council
CHP leader Özgür Özel has criticized President Erdoğan after the AKP regained control of Istanbul's Üsküdar district council, while also addressing Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş's meeting with Erdoğan.
Turkish main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel has strongly criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan following a municipal council vote that transferred control of Istanbul's Üsküdar district to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Speaking at a public gathering in Üsküdar Square and during a television interview, Özel labeled the transfer one of the "darkest" moments in Turkey's political history, questioning Erdoğan's commitment to democratic principles in a district the CHP won during recent local elections.
Özel also addressed Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş's recent meeting with Erdoğan, clarifying that official communication between municipal leadership and the presidency is necessary to address public needs despite ongoing political rivalries.
Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet.
Sources
Earlier coverage
- Oct 19, 2026, 01:30 AM UTCTurkey's Özel criticizes AKP over Üsküdar district vote shift
- Oct 18, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel condemns AKP power transfer in Üsküdar
- Oct 18, 2026, 02:30 PM UTCCHP's Özel condemns transfer of Üsküdar municipal control to ruling AKP
- Oct 18, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCTurkey's opposition leader Özel criticizes Üsküdar council vote handing district to AKP
- Oct 17, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader criticises AKP's municipal vote win in Istanbul's Üsküdar
- Oct 17, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCOpposition leader Özel condemns AKP takeover of Istanbul's Üsküdar district
- Oct 17, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCTurkish opposition leader sharply criticises AKP takeover in Istanbul's Üsküdar
- Oct 17, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCTurkey's main opposition leader condemns Üsküdar local election outcome
- Oct 16, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel condemns local council transfer in Üsküdar
- Oct 16, 2026, 04:30 PM UTCÖzgür Özel slams Üsküdar vote transfer to AKP and addresses Yavaş-Erdoğan talks