01.02.2025 15:30
In his statements at the 8th Ordinary Provincial Congress of his party in Izmir, President Erdoğan said, "Almost all neighborhoods of Izmir are in a terrible state regarding the sea. Those whose only job is to serve the citizens are unfortunately doing everything except serving the citizens. Once a symbol of civilization, Izmir is experiencing the darkest, most neglected, and most miserable period in its history. This negative trend is not the fate of Izmir."
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President and AK Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made striking evaluations at his party's 8th Ordinary Provincial Congress in İzmir.
Expressing that almost all neighborhoods of İzmir and its sea are in a miserable state, Erdoğan stated, "Those whose only job is to serve the citizens are unfortunately doing everything but serving the citizens. Once a symbol of civilization, İzmir is experiencing the darkest, most neglected, and most miserable period in its history. This bad trend is not İzmir's destiny. It is our duty as the AK Party and the People's Alliance to change this picture."
Highlights from Erdoğan's statements;
"Dear people of İzmir, I greet you with my heartfelt feelings and affection. I send my greetings and love to my brothers and sisters all over İzmir. I wish our congresses to be beneficial for our country and our nation. I wish success to my friends who take over the flag and thank my friends who hand over the flag for their services."
I commemorate all the martyrs our province has given with mercy. If you look at the old İzmir folk songs, you will see that they were written about the sacrifices of our soldiers. When İzmir was occupied during World War I, all of Turkey was in mourning. In those dark days, our nation stood firmly by İzmir. Just as Gazi stood by İzmir, just as Menderes stood by İzmir, we stood by İzmir as well.
Of course, standing by İzmir is done by serving this city with love. Today, we sadly see that most of the local governments and representatives of the city do not have the determination and effort to stand by İzmir. Mehmet Akif once said about Istanbul; 'In our neighborhood, the edge of Istanbul means you can't walk through its streets without knowing how to swim.' The examples of Akif's observation about Istanbul 110 years ago can be seen in almost every field in İzmir of 2025.
"İZMİR IS EXPERIENCING ITS DARKEST PERIOD"
Almost all neighborhoods of İzmir are in a miserable state. Those whose only job is to serve the citizens are unfortunately doing everything but serving the citizens. When it drizzles, İzmir gets flooded. When the wind blows, İzmir becomes unlivable. They whistle while looking at the sky. As for the infrastructure, there is none to talk about. Once a symbol of civilization, İzmir is experiencing the darkest, most neglected, and most miserable period in its history. Instead of listening to the workers who demand their rights, they throw them out into the streets. Even though the İzmir Bay cannot be approached due to the bad smell, they do not lift a finger. They make the people of İzmir drink the most expensive water in the country. The mayors elected for service chase political ambitions in Istanbul. The personal fights of former and current mayors become public. The failure of administrations incapable of fulfilling their duties trying to hide behind the mask of Kemalism and the veil of modernity is a separate illness. İzmir is constantly being strained in every field. It is our duty as the AK Party and the People's Alliance to change this picture.
When the founder of our Republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal, said, "My greatest work is the Republic," these people had no contribution to the development and progress of the Republic whatsoever. On the contrary, I say this with your forgiveness, they have entered into an effort to legitimize the looting system in municipalities together with those who call themselves "Mustafa Kemal's dogs." They have not tired of plundering Gazi Mustafa Kemal's legacy for years, sometimes to win elections, sometimes to fill their pockets. And they shamelessly, without any embarrassment, try to equate our efforts for a terrorism-free Turkey with their own complicity. They have turned the opposition into a tool for carrying water to the mill of anyone who is an enemy of the Turkish nation.
"THE GREATEST DAMAGE TO THE REPUBLIC..."
Former party leaders became the representatives of this city. So I ask all the people of İzmir; Did any of them benefit or serve İzmir even a little? Is there anyone who can list a few things that these party leaders have brought to our city? No. Because nothing has been done. Every time they came to İzmir, they ate, drank, and dispersed. The greatest damage to the legacy of the Republic, which is entrusted to us by Gazi, is inflicted by this inheritance-seeking group that does not leave Atatürkism and Kemalism to anyone.
In the last 22 years, we have made a total of 2 trillion 275 billion lira in public investments in İzmir. We have built 115 sports facilities. We have constructed 132 health facilities. Our city hospital has been serving citizens for a year. We are about to complete one of our 5 urban park projects in İzmir, while work continues on the others. We have implemented the İZBAN project in railways. İZBAN is currently serving on a 136 km route. We will bring much more works and services to İzmir.
With God's permission and the support of our nation, we will bring much more works and services to İzmir in all areas in the coming years. I want you to ensure that every İzmirli brother and sister understands this and turns to a politics of works and services instead of the exploitative, ideological discourses that have turned into a cover for complete lies and plunder. When we succeed in this, I have no doubt that we will wave the AK Party flag in all representative positions in İzmir, from parliamentary seats to mayoralties. Thus, I believe we will eliminate the unjust perceptions, baseless accusations, and unfounded prejudices that are being created about this city. I trust İzmir and you.
To compare today's level of development with the past would be the greatest injustice to our country. Inshallah, the concrete results of our fight against inflation will be more visible towards the end of this year. As our economic program achieves its goals, we will accelerate steps to further raise the welfare level of everyone, starting with fixed and low-income individuals.
As in every period of history, do not doubt that every country wants to own these lands. Some express this. We must firmly protect our homeland with all its gains. You see the troubles that societies that cannot achieve this face. As long as God gives us life, we will always maintain Turkey's strong stance."
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