Opposition parties in Turkey reject replacing elected mayors with state-appointed trustees

In 2024, the Turkish government intensified its practice of replacing elected mayors with state-appointed trustees.

Opposition parties in Turkey protested outside the Interior Ministry against the government’s appointment of trustees.

Tensions rose when police tried to prevent the protestors from laying a black wreath at the entrance, but they eventually managed to do so amid chants of solidarity.

Official of Peoples’ Equality and Democracy ((Halkların Eşitlik ve Demokrasi Partisi, DEM Party) Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit stated that the move undermined democracy.

She stated that these appointments violate constitutional rights and deprive citizens of their most basic democratic freedoms, indicating that the trustees have been imposed on the whole of Turkey.

“It is our collective duty to resist this attack on democracy,” she added.

Republican People’s Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi, CHP) and New Path (Yeni Yol/ New Path) Party leaders condemned it as unconstitutional. Labour Party (Emek Partisi, EMEP) MP Sevda Karaca called for broader resistance.

CHP Deputy Leader Murat Emir stated that they will not give in to any attempt to ignore the people’s decision.

“Hiding behind questionable legal pretexts cannot hide the erosion of democracy,” he added.