AKP’s Mevlüt Uysal takes reins as new Istanbul mayor

ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency

Mevlüt Uysal, the candidate of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), became the new Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor on Sept. 28 and took over the post on Sept. 29 following the sudden resignation of the former mayor.

Former Mayor Kadir Topbaş resigned from his post on Sept. 22. Topbaş was first elected as mayor on the AKP ticket back in March 2004. He had previously served as the mayor of the city’s central Beyoğlu district from April 1999 to March 2004.

The Council of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality elected Uysal, who received 179 out of 308 votes, in the third round of elections on Sept. 28.

He was previously the mayor of the Başakşehir district on the European side of Istanbul.

Ekrem İmamoğlu, the candidate from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), came in second in the elections, receiving 125 votes in the third round.

On Sept. 29, Uysal took over the seal and officially started his new post through an official ceremony, which Topbaş did not attend.

Uysal started his speech by first giving his thanks to the council, the AKP party chair, the organization and the provincial chairman.

“This seal has been given to many others before. We thank those who have served [for Istanbul in the past]. We are thankful that we have received this seal in such a happy and crowded atmosphere. I hope [in the future], that when we need to hand the seal over, we will do it with similar happiness and enthusiasm,” said Uysal.

“This is a big honor for me and an equally responsible duty. I will try to be worthy of your trust,” he added.