In a recent shake-up of local governance two Kurdish-region mayors from the Tunceli area lost their positions today - with state picked officials taking their spots right away. The governmentʼs decision affects both the main city leader and nearby Ovacik districts head-administrator (who both got replaced by state-chosen representatives)
The Interior Ministry points to legal issues: the Tunceli cityʼs ex-mayor had past problems and current investigation going on due to connections with PKK; while Ovacikʼs former leader got removed cos of proven membership in this banned group. Since oct-2024 similar changes happened in other places too - making it six mayors total who lost their jobs
The Kurdistan Workers Party (which everyone knows as PKK) remains illegal in Turkey: any links to it can make officials lose their positions fast. The government keeps close watch on local leaders especially in Kurdish-populated areas - making sure they dont have ties to banned organizations. These quick-changes in leadership show how strict rules are when it comes to security-related matters in eastern regions