Turkish opposition leader Özel slams AKP over Üsküdar council transfer

Özgür Özel, leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has escalated his criticism of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) following a controversial transfer of municipal power in Istanbul's Üsküdar district.

Speaking at a public rally in Üsküdar and during a television appearance on Koza TV, Özel condemned the proceedings that returned administrative control to the AKP despite CHP's victory in recent local elections. He characterized the events as "the darkest, most polluted" political moment regarding elections in Turkish history and directly challenged President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's commitment to democratic principles.

Özel also clarified that a recent meeting between Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş and Erdoğan focused strictly on practical municipal matters rather than political negotiations.

Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet