Turkish opposition chief Özel condemns ruling party over Istanbul district vote
Turkish opposition leader Özgür Özel has criticized President Erdoğan over the transfer of Istanbul's Üsküdar district to the ruling AKP following a local vote.
Turkish main opposition leader Özgür Özel has intensified his criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan following a controversial local vote that transferred the Üsküdar district's deputy mayoralty in Istanbul to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Speaking at a rally in Üsküdar and during a broadcast on Koza TV, Özel condemned the process, characterizing it as "the darkest, most polluted" election moment in recent Turkish political history. He emphasized that opposition Mayor Sinem Dedetaş had won the district with clean votes and questioned Erdoğan's commitment to democracy. Özel also provided context regarding a separate meeting between Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş and Erdoğan, explaining the necessity of their discussion.
Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet.
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Earlier coverage
- Oct 16, 2026, 04:30 PM UTCÖzgür Özel slams Üsküdar vote transfer to AKP and addresses Yavaş-Erdoğan talks
- Oct 16, 2026, 03:30 AM UTCTurkish opposition chief Özel slams AKP over Istanbul district vote
- Oct 15, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel condemns AKP over Üsküdar local vote
- Oct 15, 2026, 04:00 PM UTCTurkey's opposition leader criticises ruling party over Üsküdar municipal vote