Erdoğan might pick ex-Transport Minister Karaismailoğlu to run for Istanbul mayor, says journo

The ruling AKP might nominate former Transport Minister Adil Karaismailoğlu as the mayor of Istanbul in the upcoming municipality elections, said renowned journalist Fatih Altaylı, basing his remarks on “intelligence from sources close to the Presidential Palace.”

Wednesday August 16 2023 07:26 pm

This photo shows former Transport and Infrastructure Minister Adil Karaismailoğlu.

Duvar English

Renowned journalist Fatih Altaylı wrote on Aug. 16 that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) might nominate former Transport and Infrastructure Minister Adil Karaismailoğlu as its candidate for the mayorship of Istanbul in the 2024 municipal elections.

Karaismailoğlu is currently the AKP’s Trabzon deputy and also serves as the chair of the Public Works, Reconstruction, Transport and Tourism Commission in Parliament.

Altaylı wrote that his remarks were based on “intelligence coming from sources close to the (Presidential) Palace.”

“Erdoğan trusts him so much that he (previously) entrusted him (Karaismailoğlu) with the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs which has the highest budget and investment (among all ministries). Just like (former Transport Minister) Binali Yıldırım,” Altaylı wrote.

“This person is Adil Karaismailoğlu. No one should be surprised if the AKP’s candidate for Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor is Adil Karaismailoğlu,” he further wrote.

Erdoğan had nominated former Prime Minister and AKP lawmaker Binali Yıldırım to run for the mayor of Istanbul in 2019. But, Yıldırım lost the race to the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP)’s candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu.

Earlier this week, İmamoğlu announced that he will run again for the local elections to be held on 31 March 2024. İmamoğlu was one of the considered candidates for the CHP chair after the general elections held this year.