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Chief Presidential Advisor Oktay Saral makes statement on 'hobby gardens': We are receiving intense complaints

As the 'hobby garden' regulation, which mandates the demolition of many structures in rural areas, continues to be debated, reports are emerging one after another suggesting that the issue is also creating tensions within the AKP. A new statement on the matter has come from Chief Presidential Advisor Oktay Saral.

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While the regulation concerning hobby gardens and illegal structures built on agricultural land has caused public debate, it was alleged that a new step had been taken regarding the issue and that AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan had given instructions for this regulation to be reviewed.

The legislative proposal submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) and the regulation published in the Official Gazette on April 4 aimed to prevent the fragmentation of agricultural land, its sale through cooperatives, and the plundering of agricultural land by constructing illegal buildings on these plots. However, following both the high penalty rates determined in this regard and reactions concerning how it might affect citizens' voting preferences, new steps are expected to be taken regarding this regulation.

A new statement on the subject has come from Chief Presidential Advisor Saral:

"We have been receiving intense complaints from our citizens in recent days regarding demolitions and penal actions related to hobby gardens.

The rules and legal order established by our state are not a matter of debate. Protecting agricultural land and preventing unplanned urbanization is, of course, a necessity, and the steps taken in this regard are correct.

However, this reality should not be ignored: The picture we are facing today is not just an issue of today. The failure to carry out sufficient inspections over the years and the failure to carry out necessary interventions in a timely manner have caused this problem to grow.

A significant portion of our citizens who acquired hobby gardens in this process are low-income people who are trying to create a small space with their own labor, in good faith, and by trusting their state.

The seriousness of the state and the understanding of social justice require the following:

The price of past negligence should not be loaded entirely onto the shoulders of the citizens.

Therefore, what needs to be done is:

While applying the law without compromise, to follow a balanced and fair path that minimizes the grievances of the citizens. If necessary, gradual solutions, reasonable transition processes, and regulations in favor of the citizens should be put into effect.

We believe that in this matter, both the law will be protected and the rights of our nation will be observed."