Turkish opposition leader Özel slams AKP over Üsküdar council outcome

Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel has criticized the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) after it gained administrative control of Istanbul’s Üsküdar district council.

Speaking at a rally in Üsküdar and during a television interview on Koza TV, Özel called the council vote anti-democratic and directly challenged President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, asking, "Is this your democracy?" He described the developments as "the darkest, most contaminated" episode in Turkey's electoral history, arguing that local voters had chosen the CHP.

Özel also addressed Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş's recent meeting with Erdoğan. He explained that the talks were routine administrative consultations intended to resolve bureaucratic hurdles delaying municipal services in the capital.

Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet