Özel’s new party unlikely to seek transfer of CHP mayors: Report
Ousted opposition leader Özgür Özel’s planned new party is not expected to initially seek transfers from Republican People’s Party (CHP) mayors in order to avoid creating divisions in local administrations, according to the media.
Özel is not in favor of mayors joining the new formation at this stage, daily Hürriyet reported on July 23, citing unnamed sources.
“Everyone you have not personally heard saying ‘I am not with Özgür Özel and his friends’ is with us, rest assured,” Özel said during a parliamentary meeting on July 21.
The sources said many municipal councils are operating with fragile majorities, and the transfer of mayors could create difficulties if even a small number of council members take different positions.
