The government has begun preparations for municipalities: A new clampdown on opposition municipalities is starting!

The AKP is preparing a new regulation aimed at bringing the financial structure of municipalities under discipline, clarifying service priorities, and strengthening oversight mechanisms. This regulation aims to bring the financial management of provincial and district municipalities under stricter control and ensure the effective use of public resources.

According to a report by Türkiye Gazetesi, with the new draft, municipal expenditures will be closely monitored, it will become mandatory for them to generate their own resources, and penal sanctions will be applied to municipalities that disrupt their duties.

The regulation prepared by the AKP envisions directing municipalities toward specific service priorities. A framework will be presented to municipalities to focus on basic services and establish a "service hierarchy."

In this way, it is planned to increase the quality of services such as water, transportation, infrastructure, and waste management, and to increase regular inspections. It has been suggested that municipalities are expected to allocate more resources to these basic services.

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION WILL STEP IN

According to the draft, the central administration will step in if services are disrupted. Especially in cases where local governments cannot provide effective management, intervention by the central government will be enabled. With this reform, the AKP aims to make municipal services more efficient and prevent disruptions.

The sanctions to be applied to municipalities are also detailed in the draft. Penal sanctions will be applied to municipalities that do not fulfill their duties, and the transfer of certain powers will be on the agenda.

In addition, heavy sanctions will be applied against municipalities that engage in practices contrary to public legislation regarding zoning and construction.

AUDIT COMMISSION TO BE ESTABLISHED

Within the scope of the new regulation prepared by the AKP, a special "Audit Commission" will be established to audit the financial structures of municipalities. This commission will be specifically created to measure the expenditures, resource utilization, and service efficiency of municipalities. In addition to the Court of Accounts, the Civil Inspection Board, and Ministry of Interior controllers, these will participate in the activities of this commission.

The draft also includes the implementation of different budget strategies for tourism regions that experience population increases during the summer months. By taking seasonal densities into account, it will be ensured that services are planned more effectively and resources are used efficiently in these regions.

President Erdoğan had previously stated that the powers of municipalities should be reviewed and that the duties of governors and district governors should be made more active.