Ahmet Aras gives a sharp response to 'Shadow Mayor' allegations: "The claims are imaginary and ridiculous!"

Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras has put an end to the question of "Who is managing Muğla?" which has been debated in the public eye recently, and the allegations raised regarding his advisor Levent Arkan, through a statement on his social media account. Aras described the allegations as "imaginary and ridiculous."

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Ahmet Aras gives a sharp response to 'Shadow Mayor' allegations:

Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras has broken his silence on the "shadow management" allegations recently leveled against the municipal administration. Responding sharply to claims that his special advisor Levent Arkan is running the municipality, Aras stated that such allegations have no basis in reality.

"LEVENT ARKAN IS AN IMPORTANT COLLEAGUE OF MINE"

In his statement, Mayor Aras recalled that he has had a working relationship with Levent Arkan for six years, noting that he trusts Arkan's honesty and observations. Referring to his remarks at a press conference held on May 2, 2025, Aras stated the following:

"Levent Arkan is an honest, outspoken person whose observations, warnings, and opinions I value. The claim that the municipality is being managed by him rather than me is not only imaginary but also ridiculous."

EMPHASIS ON REKLAM AŞ AND CORPORATE DUTY

Clarifying the official position of Levent Arkan, who is at the center of the allegations, within the municipality, Aras reminded that Arkan is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the municipal subsidiary "Muğla Büyükşehir Reklam AŞ." Stating that this duty was formalized by a council decision dated November 13, 2025 (Decision No: 382), Aras underscored that Arkan is also a person whose strategic views he values as his special advisor.

NOTHING WORTH CONSIDERING

Describing the debates as "deliberate and groundless," Ahmet Aras addressed the people of Muğla, emphasizing that such "imaginary allegations" have no merit in his view and that the municipality continues to produce services with its corporate identity. The statement concluded with the phrase, "Respectfully announced to the public."

Here is that message from Aras

Son günlerde kasıtlı ve yersiz bir şekilde muhatap edilmeye çalışıldığımız "Muğla’yı kim yönetiyor" şeklindeki tuhaf soru ve bu soruya dahil edilerek ortaya atılan "hayali iddialar” hakkında bilinmesi gereken, bu tuhaf sorunun ve beraberindeki hayali iddiaların hiçbir şekilde… pic.twitter.com/zPPqYhgWVg
— Ahmet Aras (@arasahmetmugla) March 30, 2026