Özgür Özel thanks Yılmaz Büyükerşen for withdrawing his candidacy

Yılmaz Büyükerşen, who has been the Mayor of Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality for 25 years, had announced his candidacy for the 2024 elections. However, it was stated that Büyükerşen withdrew his candidacy at the last moment and expressed his support for Ayşe Ünlüce.

With the approval of the CHP Central Executive Board (MYK) and the Party Assembly (PM), Ayşe Ünlüce became the CHP's candidate for Mayor of Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality.

ÖZGÜR ÖZEL EXTENDS THANKS

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel thanked Yılmaz Büyükerşen in a post on his social media account on X.

In his message, Özel stated, "I thank our professor Yılmaz Büyükerşen, who created a paradise in the middle of the steppe, a European city in Anatolia, who brought Eskişehir to its current state by managing it with great devotion for 25 years, and who is handing over the torch to a 54-year-old female candidate, Ms. Ayşe Ünlüce, for his services. From now on, Yılmaz Hoca will have one hand on Eskişehir and the other on all our social democratic mayors across our country. We will continue to work together and benefit from his vast experience."

"I AM EXTREMELY HAPPY AND PROUD"

Büyükerşen also made a post on his social media account. Büyükerşen stated the following:

"My dear Eskişehir, my valued fellow citizens, I have reached the final stop of my mayoral journey, which we embarked upon in 1999 and which I have completed for 25 years, fitting in great services with your immense support. Throughout this quarter-century, I have worked with all my might to create a city where the people of Eskişehir are happy and peaceful. I see that we have created a city identity that we are all proud of and that is held up as an example in Turkey. Therefore, I am extremely happy and proud.

Speaking of the final stop, do not think that this journey is ending or that this story is being left unfinished. Now, the whole city—women, men, the elderly, the young—will work with all our might to continue this beautiful story with a female mayor whom I wholeheartedly believe will suit Eskişehir very well. My fellow traveler and dear sister, Attorney Ayşe Ünlüce, who has successfully served as the Secretary General in our Metropolitan Municipality for years, has been announced as the Republican People's Party's candidate for Mayor of Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality as a result of the meeting held yesterday, upon my recommendation and with the appreciation of our Chairman Özgür Özel and our Party Assembly. I congratulate both our Chairman and all members of our Party Assembly for this decision and thank them.

My very precious fellow citizens, I thank each and every one of you individually for the favor you have shown me for 25 years, the trust you have placed in me, and the love and respect you have made me feel. Just as you have supported me for all these years, I wholeheartedly believe that you will also support dear Ayşe Ünlüce, whom I will be very happy and honored to hand over my mayorship to, and that you will not leave us alone on this journey. I love you all very much, and I kiss you all on the eyes individually. May our path be clear. @ayseunluce"

Canım Eskişehir, değerli hemşehrilerim,

1999 yılında çıktığımız ve sizlerin de büyük destekleri ile içerisine çok büyük hizmetler sığdırarak 25. yılını doldurduğum belediye başkanlığı yolculuğumun son durağına gelmiş bulunuyorum. Çeyrek asırlık bu süreçte Eskişehirlilerin… pic.twitter.com/ZDM73PJyUg

— Yılmaz Büyükerşen (@Y_Buyukersen) January 11, 2024

News Source: 12punto