European Committee of the Regions Urges Turkey to Release 28 Mayors Amid Local Democracy Concerns

CoR Delegation Calls for Immediate Release of Mayors in Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey – A delegation from the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), led by Jelena Drenjanin (SE/EPP), on December 16, 2025, urged the Turkish government to release 28 arrested mayors and cease pressuring opposition municipalities. The call was made during a meeting of the CoR Working Group on relations with Türkiye, hosted in the municipality of Maltepe, Istanbul. The delegation underscored the vital importance of local democracy and the rule of law, expressing deep concern over the systematic targeting of elected officials.

Erosion of Local Democracy and Trustee Appointments

The CoR's appeal comes amidst a broader pattern of arrests and removals of democratically elected officials in Turkey. Of the 28 mayors arrested and removed from office since the last local elections, 11 have been replaced by government-appointed trustees. This practice has been a consistent point of contention, with the CoR and other European bodies repeatedly condemning the replacement of elected politicians with centrally appointed officials. The Turkish government often cites allegations of corruption, tender-rigging, organized crime, bribery, or terrorism-related charges for these actions. However, opposition parties, such as the Republican People's Party (CHP), maintain that these arrests are politically motivated, aimed at undermining their gains in the 2024 local elections.

Prominent figures, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, have been among those arrested. The CoR had previously adopted a resolution in April 2025, strongly condemning the arrest of Mayor İmamoğlu and over a hundred other Turkish local officials, and calling for their immediate release.

International Concern and Implications for EU-Türkiye Relations

The European Committee of the Regions has consistently highlighted the detrimental impact of these arrests and attempts by the central government to curtail the power of opposition municipalities on the quality and transparency of local governance. The CoR emphasizes that such actions constitute a severe breach of democratic rules and a blatant disregard for the will of the electorate.

The ongoing situation also has significant implications for EU-Türkiye relations. The CoR has urged the European Commission and the Council to reconsider steps related to Türkiye's accession process, stating that continued backsliding on fundamental rights should lead to a review of Türkiye's participation in EU financial and institutional programs. The delegation reiterated that local democracy remains an integral part of the relationship, and any positive agenda should be linked to genuine improvements in democratic practices.