Erdoğan had signaled it... Inside track: Municipalities will no longer be able to carry out these tasks without governorate and ministry approval!
Following President Erdoğan's message regarding a "new system" for municipalities, it is being discussed behind the scenes that the government is working on a comprehensive regulation that will limit the budget, social assistance, and zoning powers of local administrations. The planned steps are expected to make many municipal activities subject to governorate and ministry approval.
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AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has recently expressed in his statements regarding municipalities that "a new system needs to be planned and implemented." Following this statement, it has begun to be discussed behind the scenes that the government is preparing a regulation that will narrow the powers of local administrations.
With a significant portion of the population being governed by opposition municipalities, it is assessed that a new model for municipalities is being brought to the agenda in light of this situation.
GOVERNORATE OVERSIGHT ON MUNICIPAL EXPENDITURES
According to reports by DW Türkçe, one of the first topics being focused on is municipal budgets. Accordingly, municipal expenditures will be subject to governorate oversight. A requirement for prior approval for certain expenditure items is also on the agenda.
Circles close to the government argue that this step is aimed specifically at preventing high-cost events such as concerts and similar activities. The opposition front, on the other hand, describes the regulation in question as "a new trustee model" for local administrations.
MINISTRY APPROVAL FOR SOCIAL ASSISTANCE AND NURSERIES
Another topic being discussed behind the scenes is the social assistance activities of municipalities. Accordingly, it is planned to make municipal social support programs and the authority to open nurseries subject to ministry approval.
It is stated that this regulation could lead to results that will directly affect not only the service area but also the income-expenditure balance of municipalities.
CENTRALIZED STRUCTURE IN ZONING DECISIONS
One of the most striking areas of regulation is zoning powers. According to what is being reported behind the scenes, the creation of a new structure that will include representatives from the district governorates, governorates, and relevant ministries for zoning regulations is being discussed.
If this model is implemented, municipalities will be forced to obtain the approval of the central administration even for the smallest zoning changes.