Tensions Flare in Kayseri City Council Over Imamoğlu Remarks
imamoglu
The first session of the Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality Council's April meeting was held under the chairmanship of AKP Mayor Memduh Büyükkılıç. Toward the end of the meeting, AKP Women’s Branch Chair and Council Divan Member Meral Koşar delivered a speech marking March 30 International Zero Waste Day.
AKP Council Members Leave the Room in Protest
When CHP Group Deputy Chair Özgür Özer requested to speak on a separate issue, tensions rose. Beginning his speech by referencing the recent arrest of İstanbul Metropolitan Mayor and Union of Municipalities of Türkiye President Ekrem İmamoğlu, Özer said:
“As you all know, it’s been nearly a month since Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was elected by the public and now serves as President of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye, was detained under the guise of law, without actual justice...”
His remarks prompted AKP members, including Melikgazi Mayor Mustafa Palancıoğlu and Kocasinan Mayor Ahmet Çolakbayrakdar, to leave the council chamber in protest.
Mayor Büyükkılıç: “The Imamoğlu Case Doesn’t Concern Us”
Mayor Büyükkılıç responded to the unfolding events by stating that the İmamoğlu issue was not relevant to the council’s agenda. Özer countered:
“It does concern you, Mr. Mayor. The President of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye represents all of us, and we must express our objection. This is not an insult or disrespect—this is an unjust detention. He’s being held because he’s a presidential candidate. If he weren’t, his diploma wouldn’t be questioned, and these absurd investigations wouldn’t exist. What if a member of this council runs for president—will they be arrested too?”
Özer: “If This Happened to You, We’d Defend You Too”
Mayor Büyükkılıç criticized Özer for using terms like “unlawful,” stating:
“You don’t have the right to insult our judiciary, police, or military like this.”
Özer replied:
“We absolutely have the right to speak out. If this were done to you, we’d stand by you as well. We ask you to do the same for us. Earlier, Ms. Koşar spoke about Emine Erdoğan, and we listened respectfully. Why won’t you listen to me?”
As tensions escalated, CHP’s Mustafa Çalıksoy and Hacılar Mayor Bilal Özdoğan also joined the heated debate.
Mayor Büyükkılıç urged restraint:
“Avoid dramatic remarks that might embarrass you later. That’s my advice as someone older.”
“You Applauded When Erdoğan Was Imprisoned”
The exchange intensified as Büyükkılıç referenced past political imprisonments:
“Where were you when Şükrü Karatepe was imprisoned for ideological reasons? Didn’t you applaud the February 28 process? You can’t debate this with me—I’m an expert in these matters.”
Büyükkılıç added:
“Let’s not burden this council with matters that belong in court. We all have responsibilities. Tayyip Erdoğan was jailed for reading a poem, and you applauded it.”
CHP’s Mustafa Çalıksoy reminded the mayor that former CHP leader Deniz Baykal had helped pave the way for Erdoğan’s political comeback, to which Büyükkılıç responded:
“Yes, and I applaud him for it.”