Turkey: Mayoral inauguration in Istanbul June 27 /update 2

Event

The inauguration ceremony for newly elected Istanbul mayor , Ekrem İmamoğlu, of the CHP opposition party, will be held in Istanbul on Thursday, June 27, amid tight security. The event will take place at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality building at 18:30 (local time).

Increased security measures are expected. Opposition gatherings and related unrest cannot be ruled out. Localized traffic disruptions are to be expected in the vicinity of the event.

Context

Tensions between political parties in Turkey have risen since candidates from the opposition Nation's Alliance - led by the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Good Party (İyi Party) - initially won the cities of Ankara and Istanbul, defeating candidates from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) during local elections on March 31.

Turkey's Supreme Electoral Council (YSK) annulled the March 31 Istanbul mayoral election results on May 6, citing election irregularities. The announcement led to demonstrations and localized clashes in Istanbul and other urban centers.

The June 23 rerun elections again saw Ekrem İmamoğlu's victory, secured with 54.2 percent of the votes.

Advice

Individuals in Turkey are advised to monitor local developments, refrain from discussing domestic political affairs in public or on social media, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.