Remarkable statement from DEM on Ahmet Türk and İmamoğlu! Tuncer Bakırhan calls on the government

Speaking at the opening of the Local Government Conference organized by the Democratic Local Governments Board, DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan made assessments regarding both current political topics and local governments.

CRITICISM OF THE TRUSTEE POLICY

Bakırhan emphasized that the trustee practices, which have been ongoing for many years, have caused deep unhappiness in society and stated the following:

“Believe me, the country is very hopeless due to these approaches toward local governments. Because people can close their eyes and ears to what is happening in Ankara. But when the will of the people is usurped in Mardin, it is felt much more heavily when someone they do not know suddenly manages the city instead of the person they elected, are in constant contact with, and go to their door to share their troubles with. Therefore, we say ‘no’ to this mental block. We continue to have the responsibility to put forward a common struggle that will eliminate the pessimism in the country and revive hopes. We are in Istanbul for this reason.”

CALL FOR "TRIAL WITHOUT ARREST" FOR İMAMOĞLU AND OTHER MAYORS

Bakırhan stated that municipal administrators going through similar processes, especially Ekrem İmamoğlu, should return to their duties and expressed the following:

“I would like to state that the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu, and municipal administrators in similar situations should be tried without arrest and should return to their duties.”

“WE HAVE NEVER DISTINGUISHED BETWEEN AHMET TÜRK AND İMAMOĞLU”

Continuing his speech, Bakırhan emphasized that they adopted the same approach for both names:

“We have always stood at this point. We have never distinguished between Ahmet Türk and Ekrem İmamoğlu. Even though we are not described in the same way, we approached the usurpation of will with the same approach wherever it occurred. Again, we want the imprisoned local administrators to be released. We also want the mayors who have been replaced by trustees to return to their duties.”

“CONCRETE STEPS MUST NOW BE TAKEN”

Arguing that clear steps are needed for the new opening process called a Turkey without terrorism to be permanent, Bakırhan concluded his words with the following sentences:

“This process is important, and concrete steps must now be taken for this process to be permanent. This is the most justified pressure. Very historic unilateral steps have been taken for 1 year. I think the latest decision to withdraw is one of the biggest steps taken. Therefore, transition laws should be enacted as soon as possible. Afterwards, rights and freedoms need to be expanded. Those who express their thoughts and those who do not think the same should no longer be tried and imprisoned. Local governments need to be strengthened.”

News Source: 12punto