15.06.2026 17:40
During Dutch Ambassador to Ankara Joep Wijnands' visit to Çorum Mayor Halil İbrahim Aşgın, moments when they passed a football in the mayor's office drew harsh criticism due to the luxurious and ostentatious decoration of the room. Social media users, reacting to the room's grandeur at a time when public austerity measures are in place, commented, "Look at the people's money, where is the austerity?"
The official visit of the Netherlands Ambassador to Ankara, Joep Wijnands, to the Mayor of Çorum, Halil İbrahim Aşgın, made headlines in Turkey not for diplomacy, but due to the splendor of the mayor's office and the unusual moments that took place. During the meeting, the duo played football in the office, and the luxurious details sparked renewed debates about public sector savings.
UNUSUAL MOMENTS IN A DIPLOMATIC VISIT
Ambassador Wijnands, who went to Çorum for official contacts, visited Mayor Halil İbrahim Aşgın at his office. During part of the visit, protocol was set aside as they passed a football back and forth in the office.
REACTIONS: "NO SAVING ON PRESTIGE"
Images that quickly spread on social media focused less on the cheerful moments and more on the vastness and luxurious decoration of the office. At a time when public savings measures are being discussed, the ornate and showy design of the room drew criticism. Under the video, which garnered numerous comments in a short time, citizens listed the following criticisms:
- This is the office of the mayor of Çorum... No saving on prestige.
- Look at the people's money... Oh my lion!
- Where is the saving?
- Prestige is important, of course...
What began as a formal diplomatic visit turned into a societal debate questioning expenditures and luxury in local governments, due to the opulence of the mayor's office.