Minister Ozhaseki to mayors seeking funds: ‘Why should state shoulder this burden?’
Minister of Environment, Urban Planning, and Climate Change, Mehmet Ozhaseki Thursday said that the state is not responsible for shouldering the burden of mayors seeking funds for election-driven personnel expansions.
“Austerity measures have begun. The state is not obligated to shoulder this burden,” Ozhaseki said during an exclusive interview with Türkiye Gazetesi.
Austerity measures in the public sector and pre-election spending have placed local administrations in financial distress. Even as the elections have recently concluded, municipalities are grappling with budgetary issues, struggling to pay staff salaries and facing accumulated debts to the Social Security Institution (SGK) and tax authorities.
Meanwhile, municipal leaders are seeking solutions from ministries. Government sources have declared that, as part of austerity measures, no additional funds will be provided to any municipality regardless of party affiliation.
‘Why should the state bear this burden?’
“During election periods, every district mayor hires at least 50-100 individuals. Cities and metropolitan municipalities employ even more personnel, numbering in the thousands. Many lose the elections and depart, leaving behind financial burdens. The incoming administrations struggle to meet these salaries, yet continue the same practices,” the minister maintained.
“Why should the state bear this burden? Austerity measures have begun. Particularly, we have received requests from CHP-affiliated municipalities to ‘allow us to hire more personnel.’ How can we permit this when the ranks are already full? The state is not obliged to bear this burden,” he added.
Labor protests escalate
Furthermore, labor protests persist in municipalities. Workers at Izmir’s Bayraklı Municipality, facing 30% wage cuts and unpaid meal allowances, initiated road-blocking protests. Similarly, workers at Ankara’s Altındag Municipality staged a work stoppage due to unpaid wages.
In Istanbul’s Maltepe and Kadikoy Municipalities, workers deemed their salaries insufficient. Dismissed workers from Van’s Ipekyol and Metropolitan Municipality, as well as Ankara’s Mamak and Bursa’s Nilufer Municipalities, also held protests. Additionally, owners of private buses protested against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality for unpaid dues.
Seeking new methods
Meanwhile, some municipalities are resorting to selling properties or exploring alternative methods to meet their financial obligations. Mayor Vedat Soner Baser of Gumushane, from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) party, faced difficulties in paying staff salaries during his second month in office.
While the first month’s salaries were paid using the deposits and reserves of Municipal Company GUMSAS, only 75% of the second month’s salaries could be covered.
In Foca Municipality, affiliated with CHP, unpaid workers staged protests, with the mayor joining them. “Considering all circumstances, I hope to pay your salaries by the holiday, provided everything goes smoothly. I won’t delay your one-month salary and will not hold back the following month’s payment,” Mayor Saniye Bora Fici said.
Mudanya Municipality in Bursa, with a debt of ₺110 million, put 59 properties up for sale to reduce its liabilities.
Municipalities on brink of bankruptcy
Municipal leaders warn that if spending trends continue, municipalities could face bankruptcy. Causes cited include inflated labor costs, high inflation rates, declining revenue streams, over-employment, reckless spending, wastage and depletion of municipal resources during election campaigns.
