# Adalar Municipality political crisis

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/adalar-municipality-political-crisis
> Updated: 2026-09-20T23:51:45.000Z. Sources: 41. Developments: 2.

The Adalar Municipality is experiencing a political crisis following the arrest and removal of Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat. The leadership vacancy has been exacerbated by a series of resignations, including Deputy Mayor Medine Pamuk, who cited health issues, and detained Deputy Mayor Fırat Durak, who resigned from both the Adalar and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipal Councils. Durak stated his resignation was intended to protect the will of the voters by allowing a substitute member to join and increase the council's numbers.

An attempt to elect a new Deputy Mayor on September 21 failed to reach a quorum due to a boycott by CHP council members. The election has been rescheduled for September 23 at 10:00. Observers indicate that the council's political balance is highly sensitive; continued deadlock or shifts in member support could result in the municipality transitioning from CHP control to the AK Party, following a similar shift in Üsküdar.

## Claims

- Adalar Deputy Mayor Medine Pamuk resigned from her post citing health issues. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The election for the Deputy Mayor of Adalar has been postponed to Wednesday, September 23, at 10:00. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Mayor Ali Ercan Akpolat was removed from office and detained following an investigation by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The election failed to reach a quorum because CHP council members did not attend the meeting. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Deputy Mayor Fırat Durak, who is currently detained, has resigned from his position. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Adalar Municipality could transition to the AK Party following Üsküdar. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-20: Turkey: Judicial suspensions and Ekrem İmamoğlu legal proceedings

Turkey sees judicial suspensions of five officials amid corruption probes, while Ekrem İmamoğlu defends himself in a vehicle-related legal case, and Yeni Parti ramps up local election activities.

39 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cemil-tugay-and-ili-mayor-reportedly-to-join-ak-parti

### 2026-09-08: Tekirdağ Metropolitan Municipality Council meeting postponed after boycott

The Tekirdağ Metropolitan Municipality Council meeting was postponed due to a lack of quorum after several political parties boycotted the session following Mayor Candan Yüceer's move to the Yeni Parti.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tekirda-metropolitan-municipality-council-meeting-postponed-after-boycott

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Cite as: Adalar Municipality political crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/adalar-municipality-political-crisis