Abstract:

Municipal elections of 1930 represent a great improvement in terms of modern municipalism and local authority reorganisation. These elections also stand for an important new practice in the democracy history of Turkey regarding the election system and transition to a multi-party era. They represent a positive and/or negative beginning for many issues ongoing in terms of municipalities and democracy until today. These elections are also regarded as a turning point in terms of democracy, local authorities and women’s rights. It was the first time Turkish women had the right to vote and stand for election. Another reform led by the foundation of Free Republican Party in Turkish political history is giving non-muslims the right to vote and stand for elections which brought Jewish, Rum and Armenian candidates. The Jewish candidates of Istanbul caused both an influx of votes to Free Republican Party and the presence of Jewish people in election propagandas. It is seen that the districts with higher population of Jewish people in Istanbul were in favor of Free Republican Party and that these people worked for that party. Foundation of Free Republican Party, municipal elections of 1930 and also the relation of Jewish people in terms of Istanbul organisation of the party and specfically non-muslims are analyzed in this work. Also; the importance of regarding Jewish people in Istanbul politics is referred.

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