Turkish opposition leader Özel condemns AKP over Üsküdar leadership shift
Turkey's main opposition CHP leader Özgür Özel criticized the AKP after Istanbul's Üsküdar district leadership shifted following a council vote, while clarifying Ankara Mayor Yavaş's Erdoğan meeting.
Özgür Özel, leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), strongly criticized the transfer of Istanbul's Üsküdar district municipal leadership to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Speaking at a rally in Üsküdar and during an interview on Koza TV, Özel described the local council vote facilitating the transition as a betrayal of democratic principles. Addressing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Özel questioned his democratic credentials and insisted the outcome disregarded the mandate given by voters in local elections.
Özel also clarified a recent meeting between Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş and Erdoğan, stating that the discussions focused solely on resolving administrative obstacles facing municipal services in Ankara.
Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet
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Earlier coverage
- Oct 31, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel condemns Üsküdar council vote shifting power to AKP
- Oct 31, 2026, 02:30 AM UTCCHP leader Özel criticises AKP municipal leadership shift in Üsküdar
- Oct 30, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader criticises ruling party over Üsküdar municipal vote
- Oct 30, 2026, 04:00 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader criticizes government over Istanbul district vote
- Oct 30, 2026, 10:30 AM UTCTurkey's opposition leader slams AKP over Üsküdar district council transition
- Oct 30, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCTurkey's CHP leader criticises AKP after Üsküdar municipal council shift
- Oct 29, 2026, 09:30 PM UTCCHP leader Özel condemns AKP council takeover in Istanbul's Üsküdar
- Oct 29, 2026, 09:30 AM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel slams AKP over Üsküdar council outcome
- Oct 29, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCCHP leader Özgür Özel criticises Turkish ruling party over Üsküdar council vote
- Oct 28, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCTurkish opposition leader Özel criticises AKP over Üsküdar council vote