The local government of Adalar, the island district of Istanbul, reached a pivotal turning point on Wednesday as the municipal council successfully elected a new Deputy Mayor to lead the administration. Kemal Türkyılmaz, the candidate representing the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), emerged victorious after a multi-round voting process that was characterized by significant political friction and administrative delays. The election was triggered by a series of high-profile legal developments and the unexpected resignation of the previous interim leader, leaving the archipelago’s governance in a state of flux for several weeks.
The proceedings on September 23rd were the culmination of a tense period for the Adalar Municipality, which has been under intense scrutiny following the suspension of its elected mayor earlier this summer. The election of Türkyılmaz marks a significant shift in the local executive branch, as the AK Party takes the helm of a district that has recently been the site of fierce political competition between Turkey’s major parties.
The Legal and Administrative Prelude to the Election
The vacancy in the Adalar leadership began with a major legal investigation that shook the local administration in late June. Ali Ercan Akpolat, who had been serving as the elected Mayor of Adalar, was taken into custody on June 23rd as part of an extensive investigation conducted by the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. The allegations against Akpolat were severe, involving charges of "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime" and "accepting bribes."
Following the court’s decision to arrest Akpolat pending trial, the Ministry of Interior exercised its administrative authority to suspend him from his official duties. This move necessitated the appointment of a Deputy Mayor to manage the municipality’s daily operations and represent the district. On June 27th, the Adalar Municipal Council convened for the first time to address the vacuum, electing Medine Pamuk to the position of Deputy Mayor.
However, Pamuk’s tenure proved to be short-lived. After serving for less than three months, she submitted her resignation on September 14th, citing ongoing health concerns as the primary reason for her departure. The sudden vacancy prompted the Istanbul Governor’s Office to intervene, setting a formal schedule for a new election to ensure that the administration of the Princes’ Islands did not remain leaderless. The Governor’s Office initially announced that the council would meet on September 21st to select Pamuk’s successor.
The Deadlock of September 21st and the Absence of CHP Members
The first attempt to elect a new Deputy Mayor took place on the morning of September 21st, but the session was immediately hampered by political maneuvering. Members of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) did not attend the scheduled 09:00 meeting, resulting in a failure to reach the necessary salt çoğunluk, or absolute majority, required to hold a valid vote under municipal regulations.
Because the council could not establish a quorum due to the CHP’s absence, the election was officially postponed. The Istanbul Governor’s Office and the council secretariat rescheduled the session for September 23rd at 10:00, with the understanding that the legal requirements for a quorum would be different in the subsequent sessions.
As the council prepared for the second attempt, the political lines were clearly drawn. The AK Party group reaffirmed their support for Kemal Türkyılmaz, while the CHP group put forward Aytül Ekşiyan as their candidate. The stage was set for a direct confrontation between the two major political blocs in a council consisting of nine active members.
Rising Tensions and the Clearing of the Council Chamber
When the council reconvened on September 23rd, the atmosphere was notably charged. The first round of voting reflected the razor-thin margins within the local body. Of the nine council members present, Kemal Türkyılmaz received five votes, while Aytül Ekşiyan received four. Under the procedural rules governing such elections, a two-thirds majority is typically required in the initial rounds to secure a victory. Since neither candidate reached this threshold, the council moved toward a second round of balloting.
It was during this interval that the underlying political friction erupted into open hostility. As the results of the first round were processed, a heated argument broke out between the AK Party and CHP council members. The verbal exchange quickly escalated, leading to a state of disorder within the chamber. In an effort to restore calm and ensure the integrity of the voting process, the decision was made to evacuate the municipal council hall. Observers and non-essential personnel were removed as the members attempted to navigate the impasse.
The Progression of the Second and Third Rounds
Once the session resumed, the second round of voting was held under a cloud of continued tension. The results mirrored the first round with one notable exception: Kemal Türkyılmaz again secured five votes, while Aytül Ekşiyan maintained her four votes. However, one ballot was declared invalid, further complicating the tally but not changing the overall standing of the candidates.
As the election moved into the third round, the political strategy appeared to shift. In this round, the AK Party’s Türkyılmaz held his ground with five votes, but the CHP’s candidate, Aytül Ekşiyan, recorded zero votes. This sudden drop suggested a possible boycott or a tactical withdrawal by the opposition members during that specific ballot. Despite the lack of opposition votes in this round, the procedural requirements dictated that the election proceed to a fourth and final round to confirm a winner by a simple majority of the members present.
Final Victory for the AK Party Candidate
In the fourth and final round of voting, the deadlock was finally broken. Kemal Türkyılmaz once again received five votes from the council members. With this consistent support from his party bloc and the exhaustion of the multi-round process, Türkyılmaz was officially declared the new Deputy Mayor of Adalar.
The victory for the AK Party candidate brings a conclusion to the immediate leadership crisis that began with Medine Pamuk’s resignation. Türkyılmaz now steps into a role that carries significant responsibility, as he will be tasked with overseeing the administration of a district that remains under the shadow of the ongoing legal proceedings against the suspended Mayor, Ali Ercan Akpolat.
Administrative Implications and the Path Ahead
The election of Kemal Türkyılmaz is expected to bring a new administrative approach to the Adalar Municipality. As Deputy Mayor, he will hold the executive powers of the mayoralty, managing the district’s budget, infrastructure projects, and public services. Adalar, known for its unique environmental status and its reliance on tourism, faces several localized challenges that will require steady leadership, including the management of transportation across the islands and the preservation of its historical architecture.
The political fallout from the election, however, is likely to linger. The tensions observed during the voting process and the initial quorum failure on September 21st highlight the deep polarization within the nine-member council. With the AK Party now holding the deputy mayoralty in a district where the CHP has traditionally maintained a strong presence, the local legislative process may continue to see spirited debates and partisan disagreements.
Furthermore, the legal situation regarding Ali Ercan Akpolat remains the backdrop of all municipal activity. Until the judicial process concludes, the "Deputy Mayor" status remains an interim necessity. Should Akpolat be cleared of the charges, the path to his reinstatement would be governed by the Ministry of Interior and the relevant administrative courts. Conversely, if the legal proceedings result in a conviction, the current leadership structure may become a more permanent fixture until the next general local elections.
For now, the Adalar Municipality returns to a state of operational stability. The election of Kemal Türkyılmaz provides the district with a recognized executive head, ending a period of uncertainty that had persisted since mid-September. The Istanbul Governor’s Office and local residents will be watching closely to see how the new administration navigates the complex political and social landscape of the Princes’ Islands in the coming months.
