Ahmet İsvan

Ahmet İsvan (1923–2017) was a leftist Turkish politician. He served as the mayor of Istanbul between 1973 and 1977. He was among the pioneers of the municipal socialism in Turkey.

Early life and education İsvan was born in Istanbul in 1923. where he first met Bülent Ecevit, future leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP). In the 1973 local election he was elected as the mayor of Istanbul from CHP, replacing Fahri Atabey in the post. He was replaced by Aytekin Kotil, a fellow CHP member, in the post. In 1977 Isvan and other CHP mayors, including Ankara mayor Vedat Dalokay and İzmit mayor Erol Köse issued a declaration on the municipal socialism.

Following the military coup on 12 September 1980 İsvan was arrested and imprisoned for 27 months. After his release from prison İsvan got involved in agricultural activities at his farm in Taşköprü.

Personal life and death İsvan met his future wife, Reha, while studying at Robert College. when he returned to Turkey following his graduation from the California University. Funeral prayers for him were performed at the Teşvikiye Mosque, Istanbul, and he was buried in Taşköprü next to his wife who had died on 8 May 2013.