Backlash grows over new trustee appointed to Şişli Municipality

In Şişli, the debate over the appointment of a trustee following the removal of Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan has taken on a new dimension. With the withdrawal of Şişli District Governor Cevdet Ertürkmen from the post, Mudanya District Governor Ayhan Terzi has been appointed as the trustee for Şişli Municipality from his position as Deputy Governor of Istanbul.

Resul Emrah Şahan, who won the favor of the people of Şişli with a high vote share of 69.59 percent in the 2024 local elections, was detained on March 19, 2025, as part of the 'Urban Consensus' investigation and was subsequently arrested. Following this, on March 23, 2025, Şişli District Governor Cevdet Ertürkmen was appointed as trustee. However, with this latest appointment, the duty has been transferred to Ayhan Terzi.

While it is noteworthy that the Şişli Municipal Council has not convened for approximately 14 months and no elected deputy mayor has been determined, the municipality's decisions continue to be made by a committee composed of civil servants. Municipal administration in Şişli is being conducted by appointed bureaucrats.

Resul Emrah Şahan, who received a release order but remains in prison due to a separate investigation, argued in a statement made through his lawyers that the new trustee appointment is contrary to the will of the people. Şahan's words drew attention: "While our people expect the mayor they elected to be released and return to his post, a new trustee is being appointed to replace the old one. While our country demands an end to trustee practices and the building of social peace within the scope of the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process, the terms of trustees are being extended. This is once again disregarding the will of the people. It is an obstacle to efforts for social peace. It is harmful to the future of our country. We expect all trustee practices to end as soon as possible and all elected mayors to return to their duties."

The CHP Istanbul Provincial Presidency is organizing a march against the trustee decision, which will begin in front of the Şişli Atatürk Museum on May 13 at 19:30. CHP Şişli District Chair Caner Can Kartal invited everyone to this protest, stating, "A trustee has also been appointed to replace Şişli District Governor Cevdet Ertürkmen, who was appointed on March 23, 2025, to replace our Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, who was elected by the votes of the people of Şişli, and who has been occupying that seat by usurpation since that day. I invite all our people and everyone who defends the will of the ballot box to the march we will hold in Şişli against the new trustee. There is no salvation alone!"