By Janet Ekstract, ISTANBUL -Istanbul is transitioning after the March 19 arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu who is no longer running the city. Imamoglu was the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s (IBB) 32nd mayor who served the city from 2019-2025 until he was detained and then arrested on corruption charges.
On Wednesday, the City Council in Istanbul will hold an election to appoint an acting mayor, it is expected that Imamoglu’s party – the Republican People’s Party (CHP) will probably nominate Nuri Aslan to replace Imamoglu. According to pro-opposition sources, Imamoglu had already designated Aslan via a handwritten authorization before his detention, Aslan has been working as deputy mayor of Istanbul. Observers indicated that since CHP holds the majority at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Council, Aslan is expected to be elected as acting mayor. Currently, the IBB city council has 314 members with the distribution of seats that has CHP with the majority at 185, the Justice and Development Party (AK Paty) at 120, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has seven seats with the Great Union Party (BBP) holding only two seats.
Analysts surmise that due to CHP holding the largest number of seats, that Aslan is most likely to take the acting mayoral position. Sources revealed that since terrorism charges against Imamoglu were dropped, the administration of Istanbul can remain under the rule of the same party. Imamoglu’s likely replacement, Aslan has a long history of political and civic participation and is a graduate of Yildiz Technical University’s engineering faculty with a degree in shipbuilding and machinery engineering. He also had a long career in the private sector, later serving as general manager in a private company.
