Parliamentary question submitted regarding İmamoğlu's Rome trip

The fact that İmamoğlu took a total of 73 people, including 45 journalists, with him on his trip to Rome to attend the signing ceremony for the 2027 European Games was brought back to the agenda of the IMM Council.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FROM THE AKP

AKP Council Member Abdullah Aksu questioned the criteria used to select the journalists, as well as the costs of the flights and hotel expenses in his motion. Aksu also asked whether the 45 journalists taken on the trip provided sufficient information to the public regarding the European Games Memorandum of Understanding.

Reading the motion, Aksu stated the following:

"Is there a political, legal, bureaucratic, or moral justification for taking 73 people abroad with IMM resources for a text to be signed? What criteria were applied in determining the journalists taken on the trip in question? Are all the journalists taken along those who follow the sports agenda? Is it true that some of the journalists taken on the trip participated with their spouses?

If true, is it right to have the people of Istanbul pay for the expenses of a Rome trip taken as a husband and wife? Did the 45 journalists who participated in the Rome trip as part of an official event publish anything related to the European Games Memorandum of Understanding, either in their institution's publications, on their personal websites, or on their social media accounts?

Did they provide information that would satisfy the public? Or did they just enjoy Rome with the money of Istanbul residents while touring like tourists?"

Stating that "It has emerged through the statements of those concerned that a private jet was chartered by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality for the Rome trip, which was attended by a total of 73 people, 45 of whom were journalists," Aksu continued as follows:

"There are approximately 15 scheduled flights from Istanbul to Rome every day. The average round-trip fare for one person is 20 thousand liras. While it is possible to take 73 people for a total of 1.5 million liras, is it true that approximately 4.5 million was paid for the chartered plane? It is known that the passenger capacity of the chartered plane is approximately 190. What is the explanation for a group of 73 people traveling on a 190-seat plane?

How much money from the pockets of Istanbul residents was paid for this chartered plane? How much money from the pockets of Istanbul residents was paid to the Parco Dei Principi Grande Hotel, which was chosen for the Rome trip and is one of the most luxurious and expensive hotels in the region? It is alleged that the extra expenses of some of the delegation during their hotel stay were also paid by the IMM. Is this allegation true? If it is true, what is the amount of these expenses, and what do they consist of?"

Aksu stated, "A dinner was also organized for the journalists during the Rome trip. It is seen that the Molto Ristorante, famous for its wines in Rome, was chosen for the dinner in the trip program. How many liras worth of wine was consumed at this restaurant? What is the total amount paid from the money of Istanbul residents at the venue in question?"

"EXPENSES WERE COVERED BY SPONSORS"

CHP Council Member Seda Türkoğlu, on the other hand, stated that the journalists' expenses were covered by sponsors, not by the IMM, and expressed that such a debate was wrong. Türkoğlu emphasized that the journalists were invited to share in the success of Turkey and Istanbul.

Addressing the frequently asked questions, Türkoğlu spoke as follows:

"Did the IMM cover the expenses of the journalists you invited to the Rome trip? This question is unfortunately a perspective that actually insults journalists. In other words, will journalists who observe and write about Turkey's success not be able to write the truth because they are thinking about these expenses?

In the hearings of the European Court of Human Rights, travel, food, and accommodation expenses are provided to everyone, including journalists who testify. Can it be said that a journalist who receives this cannot tell the truth in court? We did not invite journalists to a place for our own or our party's propaganda. We invited them to share in the success of Turkey and Istanbul. I want to underline this frequently."

Stating that a wrong topic of debate had been brought to the agenda, Türkoğlu noted the following:

"I also want to give this direct answer to this issue. The expenses and flights of our journalists were covered by sponsors, not by the IMM. Our journalists went to the event in question by a charter plane. It is very natural for sponsors to cover these expenses because, in the end, the issue is Turkey's reputation. It is Turkey's success, and of course, sports is an issue above politics. It is necessary not to forget this."

Following the speeches, the parliamentary question was accepted unanimously.