Üsküdar Deputy Mayor Dündar Ziya Gültekin dies in traffic accident

Dündar Ziya Gültekin, the Deputy Mayor of Üsküdar, has passed away following a traffic accident in Düzce. Gültekin was traveling to Ankara to participate in the Union of Municipalities of Turkey elections when the incident occurred.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the funeral service held at the Büyük Çamlıca Mosque, offering condolences to the family and expressing grief over the loss. Other political figures, including Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tahir Büyükakın, also attended the ceremony.

Following the vacancy, the Istanbul Governor's Office has announced that the Üsküdar Municipal Council will convene on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 10:00 to elect a new deputy mayor. Political parties, including the CHP and Yeni Parti, have indicated they will participate in the selection process with separate candidates.