Mansur Yavaş breaks his silence: 'How much was paid for the Ebru Gündeş concert?'

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş had said, following the controversies sparked by the Ebru Gündeş concert, "There has been a ruthless attack for the last week or ten days. They have started attacking through concerts and all sorts of allegations. We see this, and unfortunately, it is being done from both the left and the right."

Yavaş further clarified his statement, adding: "That statement covers circles that want to fuel the controversy, groups outside the Republican People's Party (CHP), circles focused on making it appear as if there is a problem within the party, individuals who do not let the Republican People's Party and themselves fall off the agenda morning and night, and people who appear to be 'opposition'."

Yavaş had also invited all of Turkey to watch the live broadcast today.

EBRU GÜNDEŞ CONCERT

Yavaş noted the following in his statement:

"My dear fellow citizens, certain allegations were made. The way they were put forward is also very interesting. They leaked incorrect information. Perhaps they could have gotten information from us, but they started circulating that the Ankara Municipality paid 69 million. As soon as we heard this news, we started an investigation.

At the forefront of the criticisms on television was the question of why it took 10 days to make a statement.

The file arrived on the night of October 30, an inspection order was given on November 1, and an inspector was assigned on November 4. The file was examined, and on the 5th of the month, an explanation was requested from the Department of Culture and Social Affairs. The Construction Control Department was asked whether the explanation was correct. A market assessment was requested for the sound, stage setup, and technical specifications of the stage. Then, 6 companies were written to.

Only one response came from the 6 companies. Since it was reported that the report would be provided on November 11, we decided to hold the meeting today.

For 10 days, we have been having all the files examined in detail. In our style, none of our bureaucrats are our accomplices. If they make a mistake, they bear the consequences. We do not stand behind anyone who is at fault."

'WE RECEIVED THE VOTES OF 2 OUT OF EVERY 3 ANKARA RESIDENTS'

"I was elected in 2019 by receiving the votes of one out of every two Ankara residents. At the end of March, I was elected by receiving the votes of almost two out of every three Ankara residents. While living a very simple life, I worked for 5 years.

Nowhere did you see my photo at openings; we did not get involved in anything that would be for advertising. I pay for my own plane tickets. I do this so that my staff acts with this awareness.

In fact, we were often criticized for why we were not holding concerts. We broadcast nearly 5 thousand tenders live. We wanted this practice to be a precedent for everyone in Turkey.

While doing these things, we are providing protein support to 210 thousand families. No one other than me does this. We had a promise that no one in Ankara would go hungry or be left out in the cold.

We have been providing natural gas support to both our retirees and families receiving support for 4 years.

Our support for 90 thousand loaves of bread, stationery, school buses, canteens, diapers, and baby formula continues."

COSTS OF CONCERT EXPENDITURES

Yavaş also announced the concert venues, equipment, and artist fees with figures reflected on the screen. Yavaş also explained that artist fees are known as "cachet" and that the artists received those amounts.

THE AMOUNT PAID TO EBRU GÜNDEŞ HAS BEEN REVEALED

Yavaş also stated that 44 million 937 thousand 353 TL was paid for the Ebru Gündeş concert; he said that there was great pressure for the concerts and that the concert was canceled, and that the concerts were held after the pressures.

Yavaş announced that 4 million 750 thousand TL was paid to Ebru Gündeş and her team, while noting that Mor ve Ötesi and Candan Erçetin did not want their fees to be disclosed.

Yavaş also reacted to the criticisms by asking, "Why didn't you speak up last year?"

RESPONSE TO CONCERT CRITICISMS

Yavaş continued his words as follows:

"Dear Ankara residents, it is asked, 'Can so much money be spent on a concert?' One should also look at it this way. Artists take part in some indoor venues. Tickets are 4-5 thousand liras.

80-100 thousand people come to the concerts. These people come and benefit without spending a single penny.

You might say this is expensive. National and religious holidays are the most important days that show the unity of this nation."

Yavaş also stated that they would be more careful in choosing artists, and noted that the municipality has no tax debt, but the companies do.

Mansur Yavaş noted that the concert expenditures were not even 1 percent, but 6 per thousand.

Yavaş noted that national holidays will continue to be celebrated and that sometimes surveys will be conducted when choosing artists.

Stating that "100 thousand people attend every concert we hold," Yavaş said, "there is no account we cannot give," adding, "we are accountable to the public."

Finally, Yavaş said, "I said I would not be a candidate again, but we will work as if I am going to receive 90 percent of the votes and entrust it to those who come after us and to the people of Ankara in a clean state."