CHP will not field a candidate: Tensions rise in Bursa, statement from Mustafa Bozbey
Tensions have risen ahead of the deputy mayor election to be held today at the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality. While the CHP has decided not to field a candidate, the detained Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Mustafa Bozbey stated in a post on his social media account: "Bursa declared its desire for change strongly two years ago. Those who cannot accept the decision and change made by our people have acted in their own interests, doing an injustice to Bursa and the will of the people of Bursa. Our Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and the most important city of our Republic's breakthrough, has been subjected to treatment contrary to its history and culture in the 700th year of its conquest. I believe that the people of Bursa will never forget what has been done."
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Following the detention and arrest of Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Mustafa Bozbey on March 31, a deputy mayor election will be held in the Bursa Municipal Council.
While the AKP's candidate is Municipal Council Group Spokesperson Şahin Biba, the CHP has decided not to field a candidate in the election.
The CHP Bursa organization held a protest by marching to the municipal building. A scuffle broke out between police and CHP municipal council members who were not allowed into the council chamber.
Stating that the police intervened with pepper spray, CHP Bursa Provincial Chair Nihat Yeşiltaş reacted to the events with the following words: "We do not consider this election legitimate. The election was held on March 31, 2024. Bursa elected Mustafa Bozbey. At this point, an operation has been carried out to seize the municipality. The election is being held inside, and our municipal council members are not being allowed in. Such a thing has never been seen before. What kind of state are we living in? Against whom did those who set up these barricades here set them up? If you have the courage, let's put up ballot boxes on Sunday and let the people of Bursa decide. Do you have the courage? Even the AKP's district chairs are entering, while they set up barricades against our elected colleagues here."
As tensions remain high in Bursa, the detained and suspended Bursa Metropolitan Mayor Mustafa Bozbey noted the following in a post on his social media account:
"Dear people of Bursa, my fellow travelers, my beautiful fellow citizens; even though I cannot be with you physically today, I am among you with my heart, my soul, and all my faith! The people of Bursa reflected their pure will at the ballot box on March 31, 2024; one out of every two people voted for us, bringing us to office with a margin of 170 thousand votes over our closest rival. Bursa declared its desire for change strongly two years ago. Those who cannot accept the decision and change made by our people have acted in their own interests, doing an injustice to Bursa and the will of the people of Bursa. Our Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and the most important city of our Republic's breakthrough, has been subjected to treatment contrary to its history and culture in the 700th year of its conquest. I believe that the people of Bursa will never forget what has been done.
You know that today, relying on their majority in the municipal council, they will attempt to place a mortgage on your will. However, the requirement of justice and democracy is for a council member from the Republican People's Party to be appointed as deputy mayor. Turning a deaf ear to the voice coming from the ballot box is an injustice not only to me but to all of Bursa. But let them not forget this: Our power does not come from seats, but from the legitimate votes of the people.
Mustafa Bozbey. Elected Mayor of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality."