The first statement from the AK Party after the trustees! Attention was drawn to Article 127.

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The Ministry of Interior appointed trustees to the Mardin Metropolitan Municipality, Batman Municipality, and the Halfeti municipalities of Şanlıurfa, which are managed by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party).

"ARTICLE 127 OF THE CONSTITUTION WAS APPLIED"

Following this decision, the first evaluation from the AK Party side came from Group Chairman Abdullah Güler. Emphasizing that Turkey is a constitutional state, Güler stated, "Article 127 of the Constitution was applied. There is a terrorism investigation against the mayors. The mayor of Mardin has received a sentence of 10 years, the mayor of Batman has received a sentence of over 6 years, and the mayor of Halfeti has also received a sentence of 6 years or more. These are, of course, in the appeal process... The situations have been evaluated within the municipal law, and the Ministry of Interior has made these appointments for a temporary period. In the necessary appeal process, the sentences may be finalized or they may be acquitted," he said.

SO WHAT DOES ARTICLE 127 SAY?

The article 127, which Güler cited as the reason for the trustees, states: "Local administrations; are public legal entities established to meet the local common needs of the province, municipality, or village, whose establishment principles are specified by law and whose decision-making bodies are formed by voters as indicated in the law. The establishment, duties, and powers of local administrations are regulated by law in accordance with the principle of local governance.

The resolution of objections regarding the acquisition of the status of elected bodies of local administrations and their losses is done through judicial review. However, local administration bodies or their members, who are subject to investigation or prosecution due to a crime related to their duties, may be suspended by the Minister of Interior as a temporary measure until a final judgment is made.

The central administration has administrative oversight authority over local administrations to ensure that local services are carried out in accordance with the principle of the integrity of the administration, to ensure unity in public duties, to protect the public interest, and to adequately meet local needs, within the framework of the principles and procedures specified by law.

Local administrations may establish unions among themselves with the permission of the President for the purpose of providing certain public services, and their duties, powers, finances, and relations with the central administration are regulated by law. These administrations are provided with revenue sources proportional to their duties."