It also drew backlash with a sausage party: AKP municipality's 'pastrami' spending for Erdoğan is jaw-dropping

It has been revealed that the AKP-run Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality spent 466,000 TL from the municipal budget on pastrami during Erdoğan's visit. The Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality had also made headlines in September 2024 with a sausage party it held with ministers and AKP figures.

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It also drew backlash with a sausage party: AKP municipality's 'pastrami' spending for Erdoğan is jaw-dropping

It has been determined that during the visit of AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Kayseri last year as part of his election campaign, the Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality purchased pastrami worth 466,000 liras. This expenditure has sparked controversy in the public eye.

According to Sözcü, CHP member Mustafa Çalıksoy emphasized that the municipality should be transparent regarding such expenditures. Çalıksoy stated that the municipality needs to provide more information on how it uses public resources.

AKP'S "COMPLIANT WITH THE LAW" DEFENSE

AKP Plan and Budget Committee member Ahmet Turhal, on the other hand, stated that the expenditures were in accordance with the law, saying, "The Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality hosts every statesman who visits in the best possible way. If we were in Çorum, we would serve roasted chickpeas; in Kayseri, we serve pastrami."

MUNICIPALITY ALSO COVERED AKAR'S EXPENSES

Turhal also confirmed that the expenses of AKP Kayseri MP Hulusi Akar were covered by the municipality and stated that Akar was hosted in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Defense Committee.

OVER 250 KILOGRAMS OF PASTRAMI PURCHASED

The price of a kilogram of high-quality pastrami in Kayseri is around 2,000 liras. In this case, it is estimated that over 250 kilograms of pastrami were purchased during Erdoğan's visit. This expenditure has led to criticism regarding the municipality's budget management.

IT HAD ALSO MADE THE AGENDA WITH A SAUSAGE PARTY

On the other hand, the AKP-run Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality had also made the agenda in September 2024 with a sausage party. Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak and AKP's Hulusi Akar were seen at the barbecue held during the Erciyes High Altitude Camp Center Promotion Ceremony.

Kayseri halkı sucuğa pastırmaya hasret, iktidar zevki sefa peşinde… pic.twitter.com/JVBnPfkzf7
— Av. İdris Şahin (@avidrissahin) September 21, 2024

Defending himself regarding the images that caused backlash, AKP Kayseri Metropolitan Mayor Memduh Büyükkılıç said, "What comes to mind when you think of Kayseri? Sausage, pastrami, and manti. I mean, it's not like we're going to serve roasted chickpeas."

News Source: 12punto