On the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye

B100115/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye

(2025/2546(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Türkiye,

- having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas human rights and the rule of law continue to deteriorate in Türkiye; whereas Turkish authorities have increasingly dismissed and replaced elected mayors and stepped up investigations and detentions of opposition figures, raising concerns about a growing crackdown on dissent against the government; whereas increasingly CHP and pro-Kurdish DEM Party mayors have been arrested and ousted, including for alleged terrorism ties and for alleged tender rigging;

whereas a judicial probe has been launched against the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, a member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), a reported future presidential challenger; whereas Istanbul’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office is seeking a prison term of up to seven years and four months, for charges including insulting a public official and threatening and targeting people tasked with counter-terrorism;

whereas the CHP has criticised the Istanbul prosecutor and the judiciary of being a tool used by President Erdogan’s ruling AK Party (AKP) to silence opposition; whereas in the municipal elections held in March 2024, the AKP suffered heavy losses; whereas Türkiye’s Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc has dismissed the accusation that the judiciary is politicised;

whereas President Erdogan and Turkish senior officials have met with senior members of EU-listed terror organisations, such as Hamas, and Türkiye has provided passports and identity cards to Hamas members; whereas Türkiye has openly expressed support for Hamas’ mission and movement; whereas Türkiye has donated hundreds of millions of euros to Hamas and has increased its support to the organisation since the 7 October 2023 Hamas massacre and kidnapping of Israelis;

D. whereas in 1987, Türkiye applied to join the European Economic Community, and in 1999 was eligible to join the EU; whereas Accession negotiations started in 2005, but have been stalled by the Council due to Türkiye’s continued backsliding in the functioning of the democratic system, respect for fundamental rights and judicial independence; whereas in 2013, a visa liberalisation dialogue was launched, however, several outstanding benchmarks by Türkiye still remain;

Expresses concern about the dismissal and arrests of mayors in Türkiye and calls on the Turkish government and authorities to cease its practice, including the end of judicial harassment against critics of the Turkish government and authorities;

Stresses that the Turkish authorities must respect the democratic outcomes of elections and calls for the politically motivated charges against arrested mayors to be dropped;

Calls on the Commission and the Council to consider terminating negotiations regarding Türkiye’s accession to the EU and ceasing all pre-accession funding; stresses that Türkiye is not a European country;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Parliaments of Member States and the Turkish Government and Parliament.