Yıldırım resigns from post, begins Istanbul mayoral campaign
ON Monday, Parliament Speaker Binali Yıldırım resigned from duty so he could stand as the Istanbul mayoral candidate for the People’s Alliance, marking a first in Turkish politics.
Known for his colorful personality and warm wit, Yıldırım arrived in Istanbul yesterday to kick off his election campaign, assuring people that a new period for the commercial capital of the country was about to begin.
“We will rule Istanbul together and leave a great legacy for the next generations,” Yıldırım said upon arrival, showing enthusiasm for this new chapter of his political journey.
Yıldırım yielded his post as speaker after officially filing his nomination papers for the upcoming elections in line with parliamentary bylaws and became the first parliamentary speaker to be a municipal candidate. After resigning on Monday, Yıldırım officially yielded his post to Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Deputy Chairman Celal Adan, the oldest among the deputies, who will hold the post until election day.
“Over the last seven months, I tried hard to work in harmony with all groups with the principle of less controversy and more consensus, which was based on reconciliation. I have peace of mind as I leave the office today,” Yıldırım told reporters at Parliament during the handover ceremony. Parliamentary bylaws now require parties to elect their candidates for the post and notify the Presidency Council within five days of the convention of the general assembly. Parliament will then elect a new speaker a day after the nomination deadline. Accordingly, the new Parliament speaker will be elected Sunday, Feb. 24. Sixty-two-year-old Yıldırım’s political career is full of moments that broke ground in Turkish politics. Prior to his position as Parliament speaker, Yıldırım became Turkey’s last prime minister in May 2016, before the April 16 constitutional referendum in 2017 envisaged a new executive presidential system and abolished the prime minister’s office. Before becoming prime minister, however, Yıldırım was transportation minister and carried out several successful projects, such as the construction of the Marmaray and high-speed rail lines, as well as an overall expansion of Turkey’s airport and road infrastructure. He was nicknamed “king of roads” for overseeing the construction of 17,500 kilometers of roads during his time in office.
Combined with his warm and endearing jokes, this success has made Yıldırım one of the most beloved and respected political figures in the country.
Building on this political career and close connection with the people, Yıldırım is ready to take the office as mayor of Istanbul municipality.
Answering the questions of journalists alongside his wife Semiha Yıldırım, he said yesterday that in the remaining 39 days until the local elections he will visit all the districts of Istanbul and will “listen more, talk less.”
Yıldırım also underlined that his campaign will prioritize the involvement of women and youth in political life and that he will issue projects with them.
After months of consultations, Yıldırım’s candidacy for Istanbul mayor was announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Dec. 29. He has long been regarded as the most prominent name for Istanbul, a city where the party that wins the elections is considered as having won the majority across Turkey, as he was able to gather public support and appreciation.
Meanwhile, the People’s Alliance, which was formed by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the MHP, enhanced its scope yesterday to 51 provinces. Seven of these provinces are offering candidates from the MHP, while the others will have candidates from the AK Party.