Following Ekrem İmamoğlu’s arrest and removal from office, Nuri Aslan was elected as acting mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The election took place in the municipal council, but it was clearly İmamoğlu who selected Aslan. Now, everyone is trying to decode why İmamoğlu opted for such an unfamiliar name.
One of the key reasons for picking Aslan is the “quiet strength” he embodies. He’s been walking the path with İmamoğlu in Istanbul for years—but always behind the scenes, never seeking the spotlight.
NOT A STRIKER
CHP Chair Özgür Özel’s recent football analogy for İmamoğlu and Yavaş—“We have two strikers”—doesn’t apply to Aslan. He’s not a star, nor does he live like one. He’s a team player, and although those looking in from the outside may not notice, he has long been part of İmamoğlu’s team. If we stick with the football metaphor, Aslan is not a Lionel Messi but more like the legendary Beşiktaş captain Rıza Çalımbay—nicknamed “the atomic ant.” In other words, a solid team player who gets the job done.
For the past year, Aslan has served as the deputy speaker of the Municipal Council, presiding over its sessions. But he’s never given a speech or displayed behavior that caught anyone off guard—because surprises and theatrics simply aren’t part of his style. That’s why İmamoğlu also left no room for surprises when choosing a successor and said, “Aslan.”
Those who know him well—colleagues and close companions—describe him in unison: “Reliable. Predictable. Not tactical but strategic. Not an activist. He values balance. Believes problems can be solved through negotiation. Calm and patient in the face of crises.”
A CARETAKER?
Turkish politics, repeatedly interrupted by military coups and other crises, is familiar with the concept of the emanetçi—a caretaker. When leaders are banned, they often appoint a stand-in to hold the fort. This happened with Demirel, Ecevit, Erbakan, and even Erdoğan. Now, people are wondering whether Aslan is İmamoğlu’s caretaker. But it's clear Aslan himself wouldn’t be bothered by the label—he’s always been the team's dependable hand. What really needs attention is why İmamoğlu chose him over more high-profile candidates. With this choice, İmamoğlu is sending a message: “I’ll be back.” That’s why he went with Aslan—the most reliable team player of them all.
TOUGH TIMES
Aslan steps into the role at a particularly difficult time. Along with Istanbul’s municipalities, the heavy burden of CHP politics now rests on his shoulders. Navigating such a tense atmosphere is no easy feat. He isn’t as deeply entrenched in the daily grind of politics as İmamoğlu, nor does he come from the traditional leftist roots that dominate the CHP. He’s a businessman. But in these chaotic times, perhaps the personality of someone like Aslan will come to the forefront. And maybe, just maybe, he’ll even pull off a surprise that’s completely unlike him. Who knows?
