On the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye
B-10-2025-0121
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Sebastião Bugalho, Vangelis Meimarakis, Željana Zovko, Wouter Beke, Antonio LópezIstúriz White, Isabel WiselerLima, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Tomáš Zdechovský, Mirosława Nykiel, Jessica Polfjärd, Luděk Niedermayer, Jan Farský, Inese Vaidere
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A European Parliament resolution condemning the dismissal and arrest of elected mayors in Türkiye and their replacement by government-appointed trustees, calling for their release and reinstatement, and urging judicial and policy reforms.¶¶¶ It also urges Türkiye to stop misusing counterterrorism laws against opposition figures and to align with European human rights standards, while reaffirming EU support for democracy in the country.¶¶¶
Key points
- Condemns the arbitrary dismissal and imprisonment of democratically elected mayors and their replacement by unelected trustees, which violates democratic principles and disenfranchises voters.¶
- Calls for the immediate release of imprisoned mayors and reinstatement of all dismissed mayors unless credible, court-verified evidence of wrongdoing exists.¶
- Urges Türkiye to stop the politically motivated misuse of counterterrorism laws against opposition politicians, human rights defenders, and journalists, naming Sener Levent and Ali Kismir.¶
- Expresses deep concern over the impact on local governance, especially in Kurdish-majority areas.¶
- Calls for judicial reforms to restore independence, ensure fair trial rights, and prevent political interference in legal proceedings.¶
- Urges Türkiye to align with the European Convention on Human Rights and fully implement all European Court of Human Rights rulings, including on political imprisonment.¶
- Reaffirms EU commitment to democracy, human rights, and rule of law in Türkiye, and calls on EU institutions and member states to monitor and take diplomatic measures.¶
Who is affected
- Democratically elected mayors in Türkiye, especially those from the DEM Party and CHP, who face dismissal and arrest.¶¶
- Voters in affected municipalities, particularly in Kurdish-majority areas, who are disenfranchised by trustee appointments.¶¶
- Opposition politicians, human rights defenders, and journalists in Türkiye targeted by counterterrorism laws.¶
Figures and deadlines
- Eight mayors from the DEM Party and two from the CHP dismissed since the 2024 local elections.¶