The DEM Party has announced that members elected to municipal councils from CHP lists or through a joint will under the "Urban Consensus" framework in the March 31, 2024 local elections will continue their political activities under the DEM Party umbrella from now on. The decision is expected to affect political balances in municipal councils, particularly in Istanbul and Mersin. Discussions regarding the seat distribution in the IMM Council and a potential deputy chairmanship election have also returned to the agenda.
DECISION BY DEM PARTY REGARDING COUNCIL MEMBERS
The DEM Party Central Executive Committee (MYK) evaluated the situation of municipal council members elected under the Urban Consensus following developments and inter-party transitions over the last two and a half years in local governments.
In a statement made by the party, it was reported that the members expressed their will to join the DEM Party and that this request was found appropriate by the MYK.
The statement included the following expressions:
"We participated in the local elections held on March 31, 2024, where opposition parties achieved a historic success, with the Urban Consensus strategy in line with the common will of our peoples living in metropolises, urban components, and democratic forces. In the two-and-a-half-year period that has passed, comprehensive operations were carried out against local governments. Trustees were appointed to numerous municipalities, mayors were detained and arrested, and municipalities changed hands as a result of these interventions. In addition to this, inter-party transitions and resignations occurred. We evaluated all these developments together with our municipal council members elected under the Urban Consensus. In the meeting we held, our council members expressed their will to join our party. This request was evaluated by our Central Executive Committee and was deemed appropriate."
EMPHASIS ON JOINT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ISTANBUL AND MERSIN
In its statement, the DEM Party indicated that the common will that emerged in the elections under the Urban Consensus would be protected. It was stated that the municipal council members would continue their work under the DEM Party umbrella from now on.
The party's statement included the following assessments:
"The Urban Consensus is a valuable experience where different social and political segments meet around the goals of local democracy, participation, and joint urban management. Our people have clearly expressed their will at the ballot box in favor of cities being managed together with a democratic and participatory understanding. The respect we have for this will will also be protected in the step we have taken today. The common law we established within the framework of the Urban Consensus and the will of our people that materialized at the ballot box will continue to be binding for us. We will continue our work in municipal councils based on the needs of the cities, local democracy, and a transparent management approach. Our council members will continue to perform their duties under the umbrella of our party with an understanding that produces solutions to the common problems of the cities, just as they have since the day they were elected. Observing the relationships established on the basis of the Urban Consensus and mutual responsibilities, we will continue to fulfill our responsibility to the people of Istanbul and Mersin."
LATEST SEAT DISTRIBUTION IN THE IMM COUNCIL
The number of members who announced that they have left the CHP and joined the YENI Party in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Council has risen to 84.
The member list on the official website of the IMM has not yet been updated. The current political distribution table, prepared by assuming that the 93 members who have not made a statement remain in the CHP, is as follows:
- AKP: 130 members
- CHP: 93 members
- YENI Party: 84 members
- MHP: 6 members
- Independent: 4 members
- BBP: 2 members
News Source: 12punto
