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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2025/2546(RSP))

On recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye

B-10-2025-0110

on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Malik Azmani, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, JanChristoph Oetjen, MarieAgnes StrackZimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Sophie Wilmès, Lucia Yar

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This resolution condemns the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye, calling on Turkish authorities to end the practice of dismissing elected mayors on politically motivated charges and to respect local democracy. It also calls on the EU to consider imposing restrictive measures on Turkish officials involved in appointing trustees, and views the practice as a constraint on EU-Türkiye relations.

Key points

  1. Calls on Turkish authorities to abolish dismissals of elected mayors on politically motivated charges and to assess ineligibility before elections based only on final, lawful convictions.
  2. Demands that eligible elected representatives freely exercise their mandates in line with the European Charter of Local Self-Government, and that municipal councils independently select replacement mayors in case of lawful dismissal.
  3. Condemns the dismissal of democratically elected mayors of 10 municipalities and districts and their replacement with government trustees, calling it an attack on local democracy.
  4. Calls on the High Representative/Vice-President to consider imposing restrictive measures under the EU Human Rights sanction regime on Turkish officials accepting trustee roles and those nominating them.
  5. Considers the return to this practice after the March 2024 local elections as a sign of lack of commitment to address democratic shortcomings and a constraint on deepening EU-Türkiye relations.

Who is affected

  • Turkish mayors and municipal councils, particularly those from opposition parties, who face dismissal and replacement by state-appointed trustees.
  • Turkish officials who accept or nominate trustees, potentially subject to EU restrictive measures.

Figures and deadlines

  • 10 municipalities and districts affected by dismissals and trustee appointments.