About Me

I began my active political career in 2008 by joining the Republican People's Party (CHP). In the 2009 local elections, I ran as a nominee for the Beylikdüzü Mayoral candidacy. Later that same year, I was elected Chairman of CHP's Beylikdüzü District Office.

In the local elections on March 30, 2014, I became the CHP's candidate for Beylikdüzü Mayor and was elected with 50.83% of the vote. In the 2019 local elections, I ran as the CHP candidate for Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

Following the March 31, 2019 elections, I was elected as the Mayor of Istanbul. However, after objections from the AK Party’s Istanbul Provincial Directorate, a recount was conducted, and I officially took office on April 17, 2019. On May 6, 2019, the Supreme Electoral Council (YSK) annulled my mandate, leading to a repeat of the Istanbul elections on June 23, 2019. In this renewed election, I secured 54.21% of the vote and was re-elected as Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. I officially resumed office on June 27, 2019.

On March 31, 2024, I was re-elected as Mayor of Istanbul with 51.14% of the vote.

On June 5, 2024, I was elected as the 6th President of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB). During my second term as Mayor, I continue to take great pride in serving the historic city of Istanbul and providing fair and equal services to its 16 million residents.

I started my professional career in 1992 at our family business, which focused on construction and contracting. Over time, I took on the role of Chairman of the Board in the company.

The year 1994 marked a turning point in my life: it was the year I met my wife, Dilek. We got married in 1995, and together, we have three children. Our eldest son, Mehmet Selim, was born in 1997, followed by our second son, Semih, in 2005, and our daughter, Beren, in 2011.

Sports have always been a big part of my life. I first got involved with handball during primary school and later discovered my passion for football, where I played as a goalkeeper. I represented my team at Trabzon High School and later played for Türk Ocağı Limasol Sports Club in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). My connection to sports has never wavered. I have also served as a board member for Trabzonspor Football Club, Trabzonspor Basketball Club, and Beylikdüzüspor Club.

I feel incredibly fortunate that my childhood was spent in Trabzon, surrounded by its lush green nature, the fierce sea, and its stone-paved streets. I can truly say that I had a happy and free childhood. After graduating from Trabzon High School, I was accepted into the Civil Engineering program at Eastern Mediterranean University in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). After a while, I transferred to the English Business Administration program at Girne American University. Following two years of education in the TRNC, I transferred laterally to Istanbul University's English Business Administration program and graduated in 1994. I then pursued a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Management at Istanbul University.

While continuing my university education, I also immersed myself in Istanbul's rich culture, deep-rooted history, warm-hearted people, theaters, restaurants, museums, and streets. The more I explored, the more my admiration for Istanbul grew. Just like the strong connection I had with my hometown Trabzon, I developed a deep bond with Istanbul as well. It’s clear to me that, Istanbul had a profound impact on broadening my horizons.

I was born in 1970 in the Akçaabat district of Trabzon. After graduating from Trabzon High School, I completed both my undergraduate and graduate studies at Istanbul University. I began my active political career in 2008 by becoming a member of the Republican People's Party (CHP).

In the local elections held on March 30, 2014, I was elected Mayor of Beylikdüzü with 50.8% of the vote.

In the 2019 local elections, I was elected Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) twice: first on March 31, and then on June 23. Following the rerun election in which I received 54.21% of the votes, I officially took office on June 27, 2019. On March 31, 2024, I was re-elected as the Mayor of Istanbul with 51.14% of the votes.

On June 5, 2024, I was elected as the 6th President of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey (TBB).