CHP's Ferdi Zeyrek reveals debts left by MHP: Money was even paid to agents through Manisa FK

Hazal Güven - 12punto.com.tr

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan addressed municipalities with debts, announcing that 'enforcement proceedings will be initiated if payments are not started.' In his statement, Minister Işıkhan noted that a large portion of these municipalities are run by the CHP. Eyes turned to the municipalities that passed from the People's Alliance partners, the AKP/MHP, to the CHP in the last local elections. This is because, although a large portion of the indebted municipalities are currently under CHP management, it is known that these municipalities were under AKP or MHP management until recently in the previous term.

It is also noteworthy that Minister Işıkhan's announcement regarding enforcement against indebted municipalities came during a period marked by the appointment of trustees, starting with Esenyurt Municipality and continuing with Mardin Metropolitan Municipality, Batman Municipality, and Şanlıurfa Halfeti Municipality.

In the March 31 Local Administration General Elections, CHP's Ferdi Zeyrek took over the seat in Manisa from MHP Mayor Cengiz Ergün. In other words, Manisa has been governed by the CHP for only 8 months. However, Manisa Metropolitan Municipality is one of the CHP-run municipalities referred to by Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan's 'enforcement against municipalities' statement.

A significant portion of the debts remains from the MHP era. Moreover, the MHP mayor's expenditures are quite remarkable; millions spent on snacks, money poured into Manisa Football Club, its agents, and its players...

Manisa Metropolitan Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek told it all to 12punto.

'MILLIONS IN SNACK FILES, MONEY FLOWING TO MANISA FK AND AGENTS...'

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan's statements came at a time when trustee appointments and concert investigations into municipalities are taking place. How do you evaluate this in this context?

"This is an entirely political move. It is an effort to make CHP municipalities unable to function and to portray them as unsuccessful. What is actually being punished here is our public. Because if we become unable to work, our people will suffer the most. But no matter what, we will not victimize our citizens. If necessary, we will collect the trash with our own hands and still do our job."

Manisa's management was also under the People's Alliance partner MHP in the previous term, that is, until 8 months ago. What are the debts left to you by the MHP at Manisa Metropolitan Municipality?

"We have many files. Payments were made, and the tender was held afterward. Or, a work acceptance file was created and payment was made, but the work was not finished. Or there are million-lira snack files. Even more painful is the money transferred to the sports club (Manisa FK). From there, it was paid to players and agents... We are following up on all of them. However, ultimately, the Ministry of Interior needs to put these on its agenda.

Municipalities cannot be without debt; unfortunately, they cannot be. If you are going to make investments and implement projects, you will definitely use credit and take on debt. The real issue is whether these debts are spent in the right place or not. We have files regarding the previous term for which we have initiated an investigation and requested an inquiry from the Ministry of Interior. We are following up on these as well."

What will you do if the enforcement procedure mentioned by Minister Işıkhan is implemented? Do you have a plan for this?

"I hope that they do not adopt such an attitude toward either Manisa Metropolitan Municipality or our other municipalities. Otherwise, this spiral will engulf everyone, including AKP and MHP municipalities, and a great chaos will ensue.

Of course, municipalities will pay their debts, and of course, the authorities and relevant parties will do their jobs in this regard.

However, while doing this;

1- They must not ignore public order.

2- They must not make a distinction between political/ruling party municipalities and opposition municipalities.

3- They must not squeeze municipalities to the point of locking their doors. They must create a sustainable and payable payment schedule. I must say with regret and as a warning; otherwise, many municipalities will be forced to shut down."

News Source: Hazal Güven