Dismissal of three mayors will toughen political climate in Turkey

Source:Hurriyet Daily News Date:21Aug2019

Government officials have justified the move by arguing that these mayors have already started to turn their offices into centers for terrorism and to use the municipal resources to fund and support terrorists.

Critics of the government, however, recall that these mayors were not convicted of any crime and that they could run in the polls after being cleared by the YSK. They also say that removing an elected mayor from office is an undemocratic action and means the denial of the people’s will.

Apart from the HDP and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), AKP dissidents former President Abdullah Gül and former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu also slammed the government for disrespecting the people’s vote.