CHP weighs İmamoğlu, Yavaş for top municipal role

ANKARA

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is gearing up to select between its Istanbul and Ankara mayors, Ekrem İmamoğlu and Mansur Yavaş, as its candidate for the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB) presidency.

The umbrella body representing local governments across the country is set to elect its new management within a month. The election follows significant changes in the local political landscape after the recent polls on March 31, where only two of the 14 council members, including the current head and former Balıkesir mayor, Yücel Yılmaz, were reelected.

Historically dominated by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the balance of power within the TBB has shifted towards the CHP, which secured control of 35 municipalities compared to the AKP’s 24 in the latest elections. The shift positions the CHP favorably to potentially claim the TBB presidency.

İmamoğlu and Yavaş have emerged as prominent contenders within the CHP for the key role.

“CHP has an obligation to develop local government policies through the union of municipalities. The people have given such authority,” İmamoğlu said at a recent event in Rome.

“If we are given such a responsibility, we will not shy away from it. On the contrary, we are making preparations.”

Meanwhile, party insiders confirm that Yavaş is also keen on leading the TBB.

Founded in 1945, the union operates as a public benefit association, gaining local government union status in August 2002. Its responsibilities include aiding municipalities in accessing funds and developing projects with national and international credit institutions.

The TBB's leadership and council are comprised of incumbent mayors, with the new administration to be elected by metropolitan, provincial and district mayors.

Apart from CHP and AKP, other parties with representation in the TBB election include the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), which governs 10 provinces, the New Welfare Party (YRP) with two municipalities, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) with eight provinces and the İYİ (Good) Party, which won in one province.