Mansur Yavaş reminds rivals of asset declaration: 'Busy counting their apartments'
As part of his election campaign, Mansur Yavaş attended the opening of the Yapracık Family Life Center alongside CHP's Etimesgut candidate Erdal Beşikçioğlu. There, Yavaş reminded his rivals to declare their assets.
12punto
Stating that the Yapracık Family Life Center cost 55 million liras, Yavaş spoke as follows:
"There is a youth center, a children's activity center, a women's club, cultural and artistic activities, a library, and classrooms. In addition, we are providing a facility where our fellow citizens will enjoy living, complete with two swimming pools—one for women and one for men—an indoor sports hall, and fitness centers.
Best of luck. I generally do not engage in too much political talk at openings. However, I will say this again. Instead of 'crazy' projects, we are building projects that are actually needed. A sensible project is one that is suitable for the future. For 5 years, we have continued our work in a transparent and participatory manner.
That is why we have come before you, saying, 'If you are satisfied, let us continue.' However, you know our shortcoming. We have a shortage in the Municipal Council. Hopefully, this time we will secure a majority in the Municipal Council as well. Is that right? That is why we are electing Mayor Erdal. I will serve hand-in-hand with Mayor Erdal. I am entrusting this facility to Mayor Erdal anyway."
"LET EVERYONE SEE"
Stating that poverty can be prevented by ending corruption in Turkey, Yavaş said:
"When I was first elected, I came out and said, 'I will be transparent.' I published our municipality's 5-year financial report. It is a first in Turkey. Every single penny of our daily expenditures is already visible on the municipality's website. Now, our 5-year term has ended.
I became the first metropolitan mayoral candidate to disclose my assets in full detail again. What was it when I started the job, and what is it now? All of this is written down. Despite us announcing this, there is still no sound from our rivals.
You heard it again yesterday; they said, 'I will do this, I will do that.' I suppose they are busy counting their apartments. I mean, this shouldn't be a very difficult thing. You just reveal what your asset declaration is. We no longer want municipalities to be associated with corruption. Otherwise, we are ashamed to say, 'We are mayors.'
When our term ends, we want to walk among the public with a clean conscience, with our heads held high. That is the point. That is why I am saying it once more; declare it as soon as possible, let everyone see, who has what? I expect you to demand this as well. Wherever you see them, bring this up to the candidates themselves."