Istanbul’s new acting mayor set to be Imamoglu confidant Nuri Aslan

Following the March 19 arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s (IBB) former Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges, the city council is set to hold an election to appoint an acting mayor on Wednesday. The vote will take place at 1 p.m. local time, with the Republican People’s Party (CHP) most likely nominating Nuri Aslan for the position.

Aslan, who was designated by Imamoglu through a handwritten authorization prior to his detention according to pro-opposition resources, has been serving as the deputy mayor. Given the composition of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Council, where CHP holds a majority, Aslan is expected to be elected as the acting mayor.

Political composition of city council

The IBB city council consists of 314 members. The current distribution of seats is as follows: CHP with 185 seats, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) with 120 seats, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) occupies seven seats and the Great Union Party (BBP) holds two seats.

With CHP holding the largest share, the party’s nominee is highly likely to secure the acting mayoral position. Since the terrorism charges against mayor Imamoglu has been dropped, the administration of the city will remain under the rule of the same party.

Who’s Nuri Aslan?

Nuri Aslan was born in 1969 in Sivas, Türkiye. He pursued higher education at Yildiz Technical University, graduating from the faculty of engineering with a degree in shipbuilding and machinery engineering. After completing his studies, he embarked on a career in the private sector, eventually serving as a general manager at a private company.

His political and civic engagements span several decades:

• 1999–2004: Served as a member of the Kucukcekmece Municipal Council in Istanbul.
• 2009–2017: Held the position of deputy chairman at the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) branch in Kucukcekmece.
• 2009–2020: Acted as deputy chairman of the Sivas Koyulhisar and Villages Service Foundation (KODAV).
• 2011–2019: Participated as an executive board member of the Beylikduzu City Council.
• 2014–2018: Led the Beylikduzu Businesspeople Association (BEYSIAD) as Chairman of the Board.
• 2014–2021: Served as a board member of the Istanbul Federation of Industry and Businesspeople (ISIFED).
• 2019–2024: Held seats in both the Beylikduzu Municipality and the IBB councils.
• April 15, 2024: Elected as the first deputy chairman of the IBB Council.

What’s next for Istanbul’s leadership?

With Imamoglu’s legal situation unfolding, Aslan’s administrative experience in municipal governance and various civic organizations alongside his proximity to the arrested mayor from his local mayor times positions him as a key figure through this transitional period.