01.04.2026 16:30
Recently, DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan made evaluations regarding the events occurring in CHP-run municipalities, stating, "We look at the municipalities managed by the main opposition, and we see scandal upon scandal. In some municipalities, corruption has taken off. Moreover, they themselves admit this situation. When it comes to municipalities, the government and the main opposition have become a perfect match."
The General Chairman of the DEVA Party, Ali Babacan, speaking at the group meeting of the New Path Party held at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, made striking evaluations regarding the recent events in municipalities.
"PROBLEMS HAVE ESCALATED IN MANY MUNICIPALITIES"
Expressing that two years have passed since the local elections, Babacan stated, "Since that day, problems have escalated in many municipalities. Resources have been buried in rent-seeking and corruption, and political calculations have taken precedence over serving the people. The government is resorting to three methods regarding the municipalities it could not win at the ballot box. The first method is the appointment of trustees, which they applied in the previous elections as well. The second method is the arrest of mayors through judicial processes and appointing other mayors in their place. The third method is to take over municipalities under the fear of the judiciary. In other words, transferring mayors under the fear of the judiciary. In the last two years, transfers have been made one after another. The government has disregarded the authority given by the voters and has disregarded democracy," he said.
"WE SEE SCANDAL AFTER SCANDAL"
Continuing his remarks, Babacan said, "We are looking at the municipalities run by the main opposition. We see scandal after scandal." He continued: "In some municipalities, corruption has run rampant. Moreover, they themselves admit this situation because there is no defendable picture in some municipalities. On one side, you see the transfer of municipalities under the judiciary's pressure, and on the other side, the recklessness, lack of oversight, and incompetence of the opposition. The government and the main opposition have become a perfect match when it comes to municipalities. What happens affects the citizens living in those cities. When we look at municipal services, there is a regression across Turkey. Some mayors are not looking after their own business either under fear or within networks of interest...
"THERE IS A LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWS ERRORS TO CONTINUE"
Our nation has been left stuck between two wrongs. The problems of our cities have been swept under the rug. Political parties need to have their own internal audit mechanisms regarding municipalities. Since the judiciary acts under the orders of the government, municipalities should be able to see the accounts of their own mayors. There are many experts in Turkey. Political parties must assess whether their mayors are clean or if they have mistakes without leaving it to the judiciary, which takes months or years. The municipal legislation is a regulation that challenges even the most well-intentioned mayors. There are many gray areas, and there is a legislation that allows errors to continue.
"THE LEGISLATION NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY REVISED"
A wide area of initiative is opened for mayors. The mayor is put under pressure from the first day they are elected. They are told, 'We made you elected, what will you do for us?' Even the most proper mayors are put under pressure to be led astray after being elected. The legislation regarding municipalities needs to be completely changed. The zoning rents must be reorganized. Two-thirds of the areas we can call corruption in Turkey are related to zoning rents. The issue of zoning rents is ruining our cities. Allowing higher floors in city centers has clogged our cities with sewage, water, electricity, and traffic.
"THEY MUST BE READY TO ACCOUNT"
There must be ethical rules for mayors. If you do not put into writing which actions of mayors are moral and which are not, you can put even the most honest mayors under pressure and cause them to go astray. Every mayor must always be ready to account."