14.11.2025 17:20
After the 17,000 earthquakes in Balıkesir, a debate over Zağanos Paşa has begun in politics. CHP municipal council members submitted a proposal to rename the historic Zağanos Paşa Mosque Square to İsmet İnönü. However, this proposal was met with backlash from AK Party Balıkesir Deputy Dr. Mustafa Canbey. Canbey described the attempt to erase Zağanos Paşa's name as "foolishness" and stated that they would not allow anyone to touch Balıkesir's history, memory, and identity.
Since August 10, Balıkesir has been shaken by approximately 17,000 earthquakes, and the agenda of the CHP municipal council members was not the tremors but the proposal to change the name of the historic Zağanos Paşa Mosque Square. While the CHP members proposed that the square be named İsmet İnönü, AK Party Balıkesir Deputy Dr. Mustafa Canbey stated, "The attempt to erase the name of Zağanos Paşa is foolishness. We will not allow anyone to touch Balıkesir's history, memory, and identity."
Since August 10, Balıkesir Sındırgı has been shaking. In a city where over 17,000 earthquakes have occurred in the last 3 months, fear has taken hold, and a topic that emerged during the November meeting of the Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Council caused astonishment. Instead of discussing earthquakes and necessary precautions, a debate over "Names" took place. During the meeting, the proposal by CHP council members to change the name of the historic Zağanos Paşa Mosque Square to "İsmet İnönü Square" was brought to the agenda.
RESPONSE FROM AK PARTY DEPUTY CANBEY The first response to this initiative came from AK Party Balıkesir Deputy Dr. Mustafa Canbey. Canbey criticized the CHP members with very harsh expressions.
Describing the proposal as "an unacceptable attempt against Balıkesir's history, memory, and identity," Canbey stated, "Zağanos Paşa is not only one of Balıkesir's but also one of the most important statesmen of the Ottoman Empire. He was a comrade of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Han and played significant roles in the conquest of Istanbul. Attempting to change such a name for political calculations is the greatest disrespect that can be done to Balıkesir."
"FOOLISHNESS" Deputy Canbey emphasized the historical and spiritual significance of Zağanos Paşa Square, using the following expressions: "To attempt to change the name of this square, which is named after Zağanos Paşa, where Atatürk delivered a sermon and our National Poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy spoke during the national struggle, is foolishness; it is a complete mental lapse."
"ZAĞANOS PAŞA IS OUR RED LINE" Canbey emphasized that they will continue to protect Balıkesir's historical values, stating, "The sensitivity of our fellow citizens is essential for us. Zağanos Paşa is our red line. We will continue to protect Balıkesir's history, our ancestors, and our cultural heritage."
The proposal was accepted by a majority vote in the Council.
WHO IS ZAĞANOS PAŞA? Zağanos Paşa was an Ottoman statesman who served as the Grand Vizier under Fatih Sultan Mehmet from 1453 to 1456. He took on significant roles during the conquest of Istanbul and was appointed Grand Vizier after the dismissal and execution of Çandarlı Halil Paşa. In 1456, Zağanos Paşa, who joined the campaign with Fatih Sultan Mehmet, was unable to capture the city despite conquering all of Serbia during the Siege of Belgrade and had to retreat after suffering heavy losses against the Hungarian army commanded by Janos Hunyadi. Zağanos Paşa was blamed as the main responsible for this failure and was dismissed from the Grand Vizierate. He was then exiled to Balıkesir with his daughter.