Ekrem İmamoğlu's tour of leaders continues: Democracy is under duress

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is continuing his tour of political leaders, which he began following the appointment of trustees to the Esenyurt, Mardin, Batman, and Halfeti municipalities.

Today, İmamoğlu first met with Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel. He then met with Democrat Party Chairman Gültekin Uysal.

As part of his tour of leaders, İmamoğlu met with IYI Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu at the IYI Party Headquarters.

İmamoğlu and Dervişoğlu held a joint press conference following the meeting.

Highlights from Ekrem İmamoğlu's statements are as follows:

The fact that members of the ruling party and group deputy chairmen within the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) are making statements suggesting that these trustee processes will continue shows the kind of duress democracy is under. We will finish our work regarding the process concerning the trustees this week. We will also present the text we prepare to the TBMM.

THEY HAVE LEFT TURKEY ALONE WITH A CRISIS ENVIRONMENT

IYI Party Group Deputy Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu criticized the appointment of trustees to municipalities and the government's stance on this issue, stating that there is an attempt to force Turkey into a political crisis. Emphasizing that arbitrary practices have led to political crises to date, Dervişoğlu stated that the government's methods of implementation are deepening social problems.

Dervişoğlu stated that if mayors commit crimes, they can be removed from office, but that this could be resolved by electing a mayor from within the municipal council, saying, "A legal basis for compliance could be established by electing a mayor from within the municipal council. Creating a crisis when such an option exists has become this government's habitual method of implementation."