Turkey’s main opposition leader, Özgür Özel of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), criticised the government’s handling of Kurdish municipalities on Tuesday, describing recent trustee appointments as “political traps” aimed at tightening control over local administrations ahead of elections. Speaking at a CHP group meeting, Özel warned, “Their real concern isn’t the Kurdish question; it’s ensuring [Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan’s re-election,” referring to a recent statement by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli.
Özel accused the government of deploying trustees to subvert local governance, notably in districts where Kurdish votes are prominent. “Appointing a trustee in İstanbul’s largest district isn’t just about Esenyurt. It’s an attempt to control Istanbul—and through Istanbul, the entire country,” he stated. Referring to long-standing political tensions, Özel emphasised the importance of solidarity: “If you feel for Esenyurt, you must also feel for Mardin (Mêrdîn).”
With a reference to Ahmet Türk, a Kurdish politician previously removed through a government trustee, Özel said, “Political motives underlie these decisions. They’ve taken cities not through persuasion, but through force—decisions made without regard for the will of the people.”
Özel further warned that recent moves to appoint trustees are meant to exploit resources and undermine political rivals. “They gained trustee-appointment authority under the state of emergency; now, they’re using it for political gain,” he said, accusing officials of mismanagement, particularly in Esenyurt. “From limited space, high-rise buildings and poor infrastructure—those who reduced Esenyurt to this state are now after more plunder,” he stated.
Özel concluded with a pledge to resist these policies, affirming CHP’s commitment to democracy and inclusivity. “We are here to defend a process of transparency, sincerity, and social consensus in Parliament. We will not allow this country’s real issues to be ignored,” he vowed.
