Nuri Aslan Takes Office as Acting Mayor of Istanbul Following Imamoglu's Arrest

Synopsis

On March 26, 2024, Nuri Aslan from the opposition party was elected as the acting Mayor of Istanbul after the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu. This event has led to significant political and economic ramifications, including protests and market fluctuations.

Key Takeaways

Nuri Aslan elected as acting Mayor
Imamoglu was arrested on corruption charges
Majority voting resulted in Aslan's election
Protests erupted following Imamoglu's detention
Market volatility observed after the developments

Istanbul, March 26 (NationPress) The Istanbul City Council has elected Nuri Aslan from the opposition party as the acting Mayor on Wednesday, in light of the recent arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, as announced by the Istanbul Municipality.

Aslan, representing the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), led the voting in the initial two rounds but was unable to achieve the necessary majority.

In the third round, requiring only a simple majority, Aslan secured his position with 177 votes. His competitor, Zeynel Abidin Okul from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), garnered 125 votes.

Prior to this election, Aslan had been appointed as the first Deputy Mayor by the Istanbul Municipal Council on April 15, 2024.

Imamoglu was detained on March 19 and was subsequently formally arrested and suspended from his duties on corruption charges on Sunday. He has been held at Marmara Prison located in Istanbul's Silivri district, maintaining his innocence regarding the allegations.

Imamoglu, also a member of the CHP, won his second term as Istanbul Mayor in March 2024 by defeating the AKP candidate, Murat Kurum.

In response to these events, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Wednesday that any attempts to undermine Turkey's economy and public order would face legal consequences.

"Any form of sabotage against the Turkish economy and national peace will be addressed in the courts," he remarked while speaking to members of parliament from his ruling AK Party.

Erdogan emphasized that comprehensive legal measures would be implemented to ensure economic stability. "We will persist in combating any economic aggression directed at Turkey," he asserted.

Addressing the corruption allegations within Istanbul's municipalities led by the CHP, Erdogan remarked, "It appears that the metropolitan and certain district municipalities of Istanbul are penning a manual on corruption, theft, and bribery."

"When the major scandals are unveiled, they won't be able to face their constituents, let alone the public," he added.

The detention of Mayor Imamoglu has ignited widespread protests, while the foreign exchange market has seen notable volatility in response to these developments.