Message of Unity from CHP Mayors in Saraçhane: "We Will Overcome These Dark Days Together"
Statement Delivered by Mayor Eşki
Before their meeting in Bandırma, mayors from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) representing municipalities with populations over 100,000 gathered in Saraçhane to express their support for Ekrem İmamoğlu. In a statement delivered by Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki, emphasis was placed on people-oriented governance, and it was underlined that attempts to punish İmamoğlu are essentially interventions against the will of the people. CHP Chair Özgür Özel is also expected to attend the meeting tomorrow.
Gathering in Saraçhane Ahead of the Bandırma Summit
Before the CHP meeting to be held in Bandırma on Wednesday, June 18, mayors from across Turkey representing municipalities with populations over 100,000 visited the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in Saraçhane. They met with Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan. Following the solidarity meeting, CHP Deputy Chair for Local Governments Gökan Zeybek and CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair Özgür Çelik also made statements. The final declaration was read by Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki.
Mayor Eşki: “We Stand with Mayor Ekrem and the Will of the People”
“Dear participants, I respectfully greet you all. As mayors from the Republican People’s Party, before our meeting in Bandırma, we visited the people’s house, Saraçhane, to show our support for Mayor Ekrem and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. We stand with our unjustly and unlawfully imprisoned Mayor Ekrem, our district mayors, and their colleagues.
First and foremost, I wish mercy once again for our comrade Ferdi Zeyrek, who won the hearts of the people of Manisa through exemplary people-oriented municipal services, and passed away at an early age. I extend my condolences to his loved ones and to our nation.
In today’s gathering, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to fight injustice and to strengthen cooperation in delivering public services.
“A New Era of Serving the People Has Begun”
As everyone knows, Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu was elected by the will of the people and, having won the elections three times, began a major transformation in Istanbul since 2019. The era of profit-driven municipalism ended, and a new era of people-focused governance began. No longer are services delivered based on favoritism towards individuals, groups, sects, foundations, or associations—services are for the people.
Thanks to transparent, participatory, and democratic management and competent teams, Istanbul’s budget began to flourish. Concrete buildings were replaced with green valleys in flood-prone areas. Urban forests were not handed over to construction but opened to the public. Mothers received mother cards, and children accessed free milk. The "Pending Invoice" initiative became a global example of solidarity. Children went to preschools, and their mothers joined the workforce. Employment offices connected thousands of job seekers with employers.
While there were zero dormitories before 2019, 14 student dormitories have since been opened for the first time in the history of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, offering students warm and secure housing. Workers, retirees, and students accessed healthy food at affordable prices in public cafeterias. Our common cultural heritage was restored and repurposed for public use.
“Istanbul Became the City with the Most Simultaneous Metro Constructions in the World”
Istanbul became the city with the most simultaneous metro construction projects in the world. All these initiatives are the result of a people-first and socially responsible approach to governance and have earned the appreciation of Istanbul residents. Turkey has witnessed a new political vision—one that provides equal services for all, unites rather than divides, and excludes no one. Our people embraced Mayor Ekrem. Despite numerous obstacles, they saw what he accomplished.
Today, those being targeted are not just Mayor Ekrem, our mayors, or their colleagues—they are trying to punish the people who benefited from these services. It is the will of the people that is under attack. But our people are fully aware. No one can erase our mayors or Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu from the hearts of the people. Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation. We will overcome these dark days together, with the support and faith of our people. Everything will be beautiful again.
High Participation Expected at CHP’s Bandırma Summit
CHP’s upcoming meeting in Bandırma is expected to see high participation, with CHP Chair Özgür Özel, party executives, members of parliament, and mayors all in attendance.