Career
His rise to success took place after this decision. He was appointed as the mayor of Istanbul in late 1998 and he was elected by popular vote on April 18, 1999. He is the first mayor in Turkey who has played musical instruments and placed importance in Arts.
When his term in the office ended, he gave up politics for two years until he returned to public eye by starting the Turkuaz Hareketi (Turquoise Movement) in 2006.