CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, in his assessment prior to the opening of the new legislative year of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, made statements regarding the operation targeting the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, the fund investigation, and the deputy mayoral elections in Istanbul.
Özel claimed that the deputy mayoral election in Ataşehir is being pressured to be repeated based on “secret witness” allegations. Recalling the process that took place in Üsküdar, Özel argued that some council members were forced to change sides through threats, blackmail, or various promises.
Claiming that six people in Ataşehir changed sides through “various methods,” Özel stated that the balance in the municipal council has reached 18-18. Özel said, “They were elected just a month ago, what could have happened? There is a ‘secret witness’; they are trying to force a re-election there through threats of ‘Either you resign or we will put you in prison.’”
Emphasis on IMM balance
Özel stated that the deputy mayoral elections in Ataşehir and Üsküdar are important in terms of the representation balance in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM). Reminding that every deputy mayor serves at the IMM, Özel argued that they are trying to change the picture at the IMM with deputy mayors to be elected from the AKP.
Referring to the Istanbul elections, Özel noted that the AKP had previously objected to the results, after which the margin widened, and addressed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Özel used the expression, “Whoever loses Istanbul loses Turkey, whoever wins it wins Turkey; is this how you are going to win Istanbul?”
Reacting to the detention of Mersin Metropolitan Mayor Vahap Seçer, Özel linked the development to the Union of Municipalities of Turkey (TBB) elections. Özel claimed that the AKP became “obsessed” following the result it received in the TBB elections and said he found it “significant” that the operation coincided with the agenda of the fund investigation.
Speaking about the fund investigation, Özel claimed that President Erdoğan bears political responsibility in the process. Özel stated that they would participate if a commission were to be established in Parliament, but that they do not believe an effective study would be conducted due to the AKP’s majority in the commission.
News Source: 12punto
