Tensions flare at Maltepe Municipal Council: AKP member's remarks spark backlash

A debate during the January ordinary meeting of the Maltepe Municipal Council regarding economic conditions and the hunger threshold led to rising tensions during the session.

TOOK THE FLOOR DURING THE HUNGER THRESHOLD DEBATE

Taking the floor during the meeting, AKP Council Member Yusuf Özgün used remarks targeting Maltepe Deputy Mayor Şükrü Akçadağ while responding to economic criticisms. In his speech from the podium, Özgün stated the following:

“You talk about hunger, where is Mr. Şükrü? His height is 1.60, I believe. Let’s say he has 10 kilograms of excess weight for his 1.60 height. If there were hunger in this country, he wouldn’t have excess weight for his height.”

REMARKS SPARKED BACKLASH IN THE CHAMBER

Following Yusuf Özgün’s statements, voices of protest rose in the council chamber. During the debate, some council members characterized the remarks as a “personal attack.” A brief period of tension occurred during the session.

COUNCIL CHAIR INTERVENED IN THE SESSION

Following the arguments, Maltepe Mayor Esin Köymen intervened in the session and took the floor. Köymen responded to Yusuf Özgün’s statements from the podium with the following words:

“Mr. Yusuf, I think your speech is over. Since you cannot find anything else, you are attacking our colleagues one by one. Please take your seat if your speech is finished. We have seen the colleague’s character. Mr. Yusuf, we do not even want your apology.”