The backdrop of operations targeting municipalities in Istanbul

Operations targeting municipalities won by the CHP in the last local elections continue unabated.

Out of the CHP mayors who won 26 of Istanbul's 39 districts, 12 have been arrested, including names such as Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. This number has reached 17 with arrests in cities like Adana and Antalya.

The arrest of Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan Mutlu has strengthened claims that the municipality could pass to the AKP.

Politician Ahat Andican evaluated these developments on Sözcü TV. Andican stated that the AKP is following a systematic strategy in Istanbul and that this process is a "usurpation of will where the law is instrumentalized."

Andican said, "This process began with the President's instruction to 'shake up the municipalities.' Removals from office, the appointment of trustees, or arrests have occurred in 12 municipalities in Istanbul. After the elections, the CHP had won 26 of Istanbul's 39 districts, and the AKP had won 13. Today, 12 CHP mayors have either been arrested or had trustees appointed in their place," he said.

Andican stated that these operations have two goals:

"First, to sideline the mayors.

Second, by reducing the number of municipal council members, if a numerical balance is achieved with AKP or People's Alliance members, to force these members to resign and seize the council majority."

It is alleged that through this strategy, municipalities that could not be won in the elections are being transferred to the AKP by purging elected mayors and council members. Andican emphasized that this process is being carried out through the instrumentalization of the law and has become routine for the ruling power.

News Source: 12punto