Ex-Mayor Topbaş 'forced to resign' for not signing zoning plans, İmamoğlu says

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has stated that former Mayor Kadir Topbaş, from the AKP, was forced to step down from his position for not signing five zoning plans. In 2017, Topbaş announced his resignation from Istanbul mayorship without citing a reason after Erdoğan signaled a change within the AKP. Topbaş died in 2021 after suffering from multiple organ dysfunction while receiving coronavirus treatment.

Tuesday February 27 2024 08:40 pm

This file photo shows former Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş (L) and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu (R)

Duvar English

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), on Feb. 26 expressed why former Mayor Kadir Topbaş, from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), stepped down from his position back in 2017.

Speaking during a local election rally in Istanbul’s Arnavutköy district, İmamoğlu said Topbaş was forced to resign from his position for not signing five zoning plans in response to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Earlier on Feb. 26, Erdoğan said “Remember. What was Istanbul when we took office in 1994? (Full of) trash, potholes, dirt. Who was in power? CHP. Why was Istanbul handed over to us? To get rid of all this crap. Mr. Kadir (Topbaş) gave a new face to Istanbul. Istanbul stood up again. Somehow, there was a mistake and this person (İmamoğlu) got this job. Istanbul is once again covered in trash, potholes, and dirt,” during an opening ceremony in Istanbul.

Erdoğan was elected as Istanbul Mayor in 1994 from the Welfare Party, AKP’s predecessor, whereas Topbaş assumed the office in 2004 from the AKP, staying until his resignation in 2017. İmamoğlu assumed the office in the 2019 local elections, ending the 25-year AKP legacy in the Municipality.

Responding to Erdoğan’s Kadir Topbaş remark, İmamoğlu said “Aren't you the ones who declared Topbaş 'tired, metal fatigued' because he did not sign five zoning plans, made life miserable for him and forced him to leave office? The guy passed away a few years later due to sadness.”

In 2017, Topbaş announced his resignation from the mayorship after President Erdoğan said “We will renew all of our organizations. Because there is metal fatigue. We need to get over this.” Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek was among the ones who resigned from their positions at the time.

At the time, Topbaş did not cite any reason for his resignation, but said “A person forgives everything but does not forgive being ignored” and said “Making a mistake and betrayal should not be confused.”

Before his resignation, he vetoed five zoning plans in Bayrampaşa, Beşiktaş, Kartal, Pendik and Sarıyer districts. The plans were approved eventually in the municipal council with the votes of AKP members.

Topbaş died in 2021 at the age of 76 after suffering from multiple organ dysfunction while receiving coronavirus treatment.