Municipal landscape in Istanbul changes following operations against CHP-run municipalities
Following the processes targeting CHP mayors, the distribution of municipalities in Istanbul has shifted; the AKP has moved into first place with 13 municipalities.
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Investigations and operations targeting municipalities won by the CHP, which became the leading party across Turkey in the March 31, 2024 local elections, have changed the municipal distribution, particularly in Istanbul.
In the March 31 elections, the CHP reached a vote share of 37.77 percent, receiving the support of over 17 million 391 thousand voters, and became the leading party across Turkey for the first time since 1977. The AKP finished the election in second place with 35.49 percent of the vote.
According to the data provided, the process that began against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) in March 2025 later extended to Üsküdar and Ankara's Etimesgut. While 28 of the 36 CHP mayors were arrested, 6 were released with judicial control measures; it was reported that 2 individuals remain in custody.
It was stated that the total number of votes cast for the mayors who were arrested or removed from office after lawsuits were filed against them is 9 million 300 thousand 367. This figure corresponds to 53.48 percent of the total votes the CHP received on March 31.
NUMBERS CHANGED IN ISTANBUL
In the March 31, 2024 elections, the CHP had won a total of 26 municipalities in Istanbul, including the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Following the recent processes, it was noted that in the current landscape in Istanbul, the AKP holds 13 municipalities, while the CHP holds 12.
The report emphasized that the number of mayors currently held in Marmara Prison in Silivri is 14. It was stated that the vote share represented by these mayors is 35.9 percent.
In political circles, expectations are also being voiced that some mayors may resign from the CHP and join the AKP.