Oscar Yildiz expresses interest in running for vacant lord mayor role

A LOCAL city councillor and close friend of Robert Doyle has thrown his hat in the ring for the vacant Town Hall position, but threw his support behind the former lord mayor and labelled sex claim allegations a “witch hunt”.

A LOCAL city councillor and close friend of ex-Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has thrown his hat in the ring for the vacant lord mayor position.

Moreland councillor Oscar Yildiz said he had been shocked by the allegations levelled at Mr Doyle, labelling them a “witch hunt”.

He said he wanted to make it clear he respected the former lord mayor, saying he would never want to “undermine” his close friend but had been encouraged by supporters.

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Oscar Yildiz has thrown his hat in the ring for Melbourne’s vacant mayor position.

“I’m happy as a Moreland councillor — if I can extend that (to serve) the City of Melbourne, that would be a privilege and an honour,” he told the Herald Sun tonight.

“I’m the sort of guy that rolls up his sleeves to get things done. I believe I’ve got the experience and the passion.

“I’m a local boy, born and raised in Melbourne and I know that I’ll die here … I’m passionate about being a Melburnian.”

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The North-West ward councillor and former Moreland mayor earlier today denied “rumours” he was considering running as a candidate.

But he said he felt encouraged to put up his hand after receiving “over 100” calls and texts from friends and supporters across Melbourne.

Cr Yildiz said he had reached out to offer his continuing support to Mr Doyle and was concerned for his friend’s health.

“There’s not other way of saying it, he is more than shocked, he is shattered,” he said.

Robert Doyle stepped down this week. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

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“There is always two sides to every story … I don’t know whether those allegations will stack up.”

Rumours Cr Yildiz was considering becoming a candidate for lord mayor heated up this morning after a call to 3AW’s Rumour File.

The Moreland councillor then tweeted: “Thanks for all the text messages, phone calls & now a dozen missed calls from friends, family & supporters about me potentially running as a candidate to be the next Melbourne Mayor.

“It’s definitely a rumour, happy to remain as a Moreland Councillor for now.”

But he later went on air to declare: “There’s no reason why I wouldn’t have a crack at it.”

A secondary school teacher and founder of the Bully Zero Australia Foundation, Cr Yildiz is married with teenage girls.