“The continued disregard for democratic principles in Turkey should be taken seriously by all in the EU,” Nacho Sánchez Amor, EU Rapporteur on Turkey, said on Monday after Turkish authorities replaced the elected co-mayors of Mersin with a state-appointed trustee.
The municipality of Mersin, governed by the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party since the 31 March local elections, became the latest victim of Turkey’s controversial trustee policy. The decision followed the arrest of Mersin’s co-mayors, marking the ninth such appointment since the elections. Seven of these municipalities were governed by the DEM Party, while two belonged to the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).
New addition today to the shameful list of mayors dispossessed by the 🇹🇷 Government of their democratic mandate: the co-Mayors of #Akdeniz district in #Mersin (@DEMGenelMerkezi). This continued disregard to basic democratic principles should be taken seriously by all in the #EU.
— Nacho Sánchez Amor (@NachoSAmor) January 13, 2025
Amor voiced his criticism on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “New addition today to the shameful list of mayors dispossessed by the Turkish government of their democratic mandate.”
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In a recent interview with Medya News, Amor called the practice “a violation of the most basic rule of democracy”. He highlighted how the lack of legal certainty in Turkey, exemplified by these trustee appointments, posed broader risks, including undermining financial policy.
“This indiscriminate policy of trampling on democratic rights sends a message to the world that Turkey is not reliable,” Amor said, pointing to the broader implications for Turkey’s political and economic stability.
The trustee policy has faced widespread criticism from the EU, human rights groups, and democracy advocates, who see it as part of a broader crackdown on opposition parties, particularly the pro-Kurdish DEM Party. Critics argue that the policy disenfranchises voters and undermines local governance, raising serious concerns about Turkey’s commitment to democratic norms.
Amor’s statement adds to mounting international scrutiny over Turkey’s practices, emphasising the need for the EU to take a firm stance on the country’s democratic backsliding.
