Another blow to municipal authority from the AKP... Now wholesale markets are on the agenda

The AKP government, which lost many metropolitan municipalities in the local elections, is adding a new one to its steps aimed at narrowing the scope of authority of municipalities.

According to the newly prepared draft regulation, the authority to grant establishment permits for wholesale markets in cities will no longer be under the jurisdiction of municipalities, but under the Ministry of Trade.

According to a report by the pro-government newspaper Türkiye, a new legislative study containing radical changes regarding the trade of vegetables and fruits is being conducted. This draft aims to increase the influence of the central government not only on the establishment permits of the markets but also on their management, product shipment, and sales processes.

POWERS BELONGING TO MUNICIPALITIES ARE DISAPPEARING ONE BY ONE

Although the new regulation may appear to be just a technical change, it is interpreted as a systematic erosion of the economic and administrative power of municipalities. Especially for metropolitan municipalities governed by the opposition, this regulation signifies direct intervention.

LOOKING BACK: PREVIOUS STEPS OF POWER GRABS

Following the elections, interventions targeting the jurisdictions of metropolitan municipalities, especially those governed by the opposition, have gained momentum. Here are some examples that have come to the fore recently:

Istanbul: The Maiden's Tower, Galata Tower, and various palaces, which had been operated by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) for many years, were transferred to the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. In addition, zoning authorities regarding the Bosphorus and the Princes' Islands were also taken from the IBB and attached to the same ministry.

Izmir: Urban transformation projects in Izmir began to be carried out directly by the ministry. In projects where local government was not included, the control of the central administration was increased.

Tourism Inspections: The authority for fire safety inspections of hotels and tourism facilities was taken from municipalities and transferred to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. With this change, the inspection and security responsibilities of municipalities were also limited.