Six Armenians in Istanbul’s Municipal Councils

The weekly Turkish-Armenian Agos newspaper has reported that six Turkish-Armenians have been voted into municipal councils in Istanbul.

In the Princes’ Islands district, Raffi Hermonn Araks has entered the municipal council under elected mayor Mustafa Farsakoğlu from the Republican People’s Party (CHP).

On the islands, there was also an Armenian mayoral candidate, Dr. Garabet Yayla. He received 68 votes, 0.8 percent.

Agop Sarıyan was second municipal councillor candidate for the CHP on the islands; however, because one candidate each of the CHP and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) were elected, Sarıyan has not entered the council. Independent municipal councillor candidate Avedis Hilkat also did not win.

Three councillors in Bakırköy

In Bakırköy, a district on the European side of Istanbul, three Turkish-Armenians have entered the municipal council with the CHP mayor Ateş Ünal Erzen: Ohannes Karabeyan, who was sixth on the list, Yervant Özuzun, who was ninth, and Bedros Avedikyan, who had been a reserve candidate.

One each in Şişli and Beyoğlu

Under the AKP mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan in Beyoğlu, central Istanbul, Verkin Arıoba has entered the municipal council.

In Şişli, mayor Mustafa Sarıgül, for the Democratic Left Party (DSP) has won again, and Vazken Barın has entered the council in the district. Harutyun Ergüneş, in sixth place on the CHP list, did not get in.

CHP councillor candidate Antranik Yontan (13th on the list) in Fatih did not get in, nor did Herman Balyan, 4th councillor candidate for the AKP in Kadıköy. (TK/AG)