Finance Minister Simsek warns ruling AK Party mayors over their spending

Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek issued significant warnings to mayors during a presentation at the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) Kizilcahamam camp recently.

Expressing the need to close budget gaps by preventing unregistered activities, Simsek said, “Don’t think that these public savings measures don’t concern us. Our ministry will conduct inspections, and the responsible parties for the expenditures could face serious sanctions. Public savings measures bind municipalities 100%.”

‘Financial situation doesn’t look good’

Underlining that AK Party municipalities’ financial state isn’t looking good and that their budgetary situation is much worse than that of the central bank, Simsek added, “The annual personnel expenses of municipalities cannot exceed 30% of their budget revenues. None of you are complying with the law.”

You’ve turned into employment agencies. Comply with the existing financial rules. You haven’t complied in terms of debt and personnel.

Mehmet Simsek, Finance Minister

‘It covers all municipalities’

Additionally, following reports in the media, the Ministry of Treasury and Finance issued a statement on the matter. The ministry clarified that Minister Simsek’s warnings were directed not only at AK Party municipalities but at all municipalities.