Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu evaluated recent political developments. He described the mayors joining the AKP as 'ransom politics'.

İmamoğlu stated, 'Those mayors who do not bow down face prison, while those who kneel are forced to transfer.' These remarks have once again brought the political atmosphere in Istanbul to the forefront.

İmamoğlu criticized the mayors who joined the AKP during the party's anniversary, emphasizing that this situation is a political ransom. He remarked, 'The government tries to cover its exhaustion and fatigue with such transfers.'

He also stated, 'This ransom method starts with accusations directed at mayors and continues with threats of, 'If you join the AK Party, you are free.'

Finally, İmamoğlu criticized the deepening poverty and rising hopelessness in Turkey, stating, 'This process has exacerbated poverty and despair.'