DEM Party MP Gülderen Varlı: The appointment of trustees shows that the government is not sincere
Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Van MP Gülderen Varlı reacted to the replacement of the mayor of Van with a state-appointed trustee and said, “The people expected sincere steps. The trustees will not bring peace.”
MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU
Van- On February 15, 2025, the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs Abdullah Zeydan, Co-mayor of Van, was removed from office and appointed Governor Ozan Balcı as a trustee to the municipality after Abdullah Zeydan was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. The people of Van have been protesting the removal of the elected mayor of Van from office since February 15 although police have used tear gas and rubber bullets against them.
Since February 15, more than 400 people, including 60 children, have been taken into custody for protesting the appointment of the trustee to their municipality.
NuJINHA spoke to Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Van MP Gülderen Varlı about the protests and the “trustee” policy of the AKP government.
AKP’s greed for profit and capital
The appointment of trustees to municipalities reflects that the AKP government does not recognize the will of the Kurdish people and its greed for profit and capital, Gülderen Varlı said, adding:
“The AKP government knows very well that trustees are now a source of income for it. It aims to create a space for its supporters to earn money. Police raided the municipal building on Saturday at around 4:00 AM when the elected mayor was not removed from office. This is a coup against the will of the people of Van. Police entered the municipal building by breaking the windows and doors while there were people from all ages inside. They attacked civilians and us, the members of parliament. They forcibly detained many young people.”
The people, especially women, shouted, “We are not afraid of you” despite the police violence, Gülderen Varlı told NuJINHA. She also commented on the process that started with the meetings with Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan in the prison island of Imrali.
“The people followed this process with hope. They expected sincere steps for a new peace process. However, the mayor of Van was replaced with a state-appointed trustee. The trustees will not bring peace. These steps show that the government is not sincere. We held a democracy vigil for four days because everyone in this country needs democracy. Despite the usurpation of their will, the people will never give up their struggle for democracy.”