ANKARA — In a closely watched and fiercely contested electoral process, the Council of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey (TBB) has elected Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce as its new Deputy President. The high-stakes vote was necessitated by the recent suspension of Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Vahap Seçer, who faces serious legal charges including "forgery of official documents," "rigging a tender," "establishing an organization," and "fraud."
The extraordinary general assembly gathered at a hotel venue to determine the leadership transition, bringing together municipal leaders, delegates, and council members from across the country to navigate the unexpected political and administrative shift within the influential municipal union.
A Rigorous Four-Round Electoral Process
The proceedings began with a solemn moment of respect, featuring a moment of silence followed by the stirring rendition of the Turkish National Anthem. Once formal protocols were observed, the floor was opened for mayoral nominations to fill the crucial deputy presidency.
Two prominent figures stepped forward as candidates: Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce and Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tahir Büyükakın. Following the official reading of the candidate proposals, the assembly transitioned directly into the voting phase, adhering strictly to the procedures of a secret ballot.
To accommodate the large body of delegates and ensure a smooth, transparent process, fifteen separate ballot boxes were established throughout the venue. TBB members cast their votes in what quickly evolved into a tight race between the two metropolitan mayors.
During the first round of voting, Ayşe Ünlüce secured 409 votes, while Tahir Büyükakın garnered 369 votes. Because the union’s electoral rules require a two-thirds supermajority for a candidate to claim victory in the initial stages, and neither contender reached this threshold, the election automatically advanced to subsequent rounds.
The second round mirrored the competitive nature of the first, yielding 403 votes for Ünlüce and 385 votes for Büyükakın. Momentum continued into the third round, where Ünlüce received 406 votes and Büyükakın obtained 363 votes.
As the required supermajority remained elusive despite multiple attempts, the assembly moved to the fourth and final round of voting, under regulations stipulating that the candidate securing the highest number of votes would ultimately prevail. In this decisive fourth round, Ayşe Ünlüce cemented her lead by pulling in 417 votes, whereas Tahir Büyükakın finished with 369 votes. With this conclusive tally, Ünlüce was officially declared the new Deputy President of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey.
Ünlüce Delivers an Address of Gratitude and Unity
Following the announcement of the final election results, Ayşe Ünlüce took to the podium to address the assembly, expressing her profound appreciation to the delegates and outlining her vision for her tenure.
"I extend my sincere thanks to all of you for the trust placed in me by our esteemed mayors and council members, and for this duty which I assume with great honor," Ünlüce stated during her post-election remarks.
Highlighting the specific circumstances surrounding her election—stepping in to cover for the union’s president—she addressed the legal situation of Mersin Mayor Vahap Seçer directly. "I have been elected to this position to deputize for our TBB President, Mr. Vahap Seçer. Until he swiftly regains his freedom and I am able to hand this responsibility back over to him, I give you my word that I will execute these duties without any discrimination among our municipalities, operating in an entirely equal and fair manner for all of you."
