İstanbul Mayor Says Dismissal of HDP Mayors 'Unacceptable'

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Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has reacted to the Interior Ministry decision to discharge the mayors of Diyarbakır, Van and Mardin. All the discharged mayors of the mostly Kurdish populated southeastern cities are from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

İmamoğlu said, "It is impossible to associate the removal of Diyarbakır, Van and Mardin Mayors with democratic practices. The three mayors who are replaced by state-appointed trustees were elected by popular vote in the March 31 local elections. Ignoring the will of the people is unacceptable," on Twitter. 

It is impossible to associate the removal of Diyarbakır, Van and Mardin Mayors with democratic practices. The three mayors who are replaced by state-appointed trustees were elected by popular vote in the March 31 local elections. Ignoring the will of the people is unacceptable.

— Ekrem İmamoğlu (International) (@imamoglu_int) August 19, 2019

(EMK/VK)