The reference list prepared for high-level appointments in the Union of Turkish Municipalities (TBB) in the CHP continues to be on the agenda. The conflict between General Chairman Özgür Özel and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu continues over references. İmamoğlu vetoed Özel, who referred to 3 of the 29 names on the list as the “General Chairman”. Allegedly, Lawyer Mehmet Arıkan was vetoed by İmamoğlu because he was suggested by Veli Ağbaba, who is seen as Özel’s right-hand man in the party. İsmail Koç, one of the experts from the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, was vetoed due to his closeness to Özel. The name of Yenimahalle Deputy Mayor Erhan Aras, who was referred to by both Özgür Özel and the secret person with the code “EIM” on the list, is still being considered for the position of Deputy Secretary General.
