Opposing the government’s efforts to curb the activities of opposition mayors in the fight against the coronavirus, the CHP mayors of Ankara and Istanbul continued their efforts to reach those suffering from the economic impacts of the pandemic.
On May 8, Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas chaired the City Council, which had been postponed since March by a decree issued by the Interior Ministry. Yavas, however, failed to convince the council’s AKP and MHP members, who form a majority in the body, to repair water pipelines leaking asbestos or to pass a loan of 10 percent of the council’s budget to help the needy.
AKP and MHP members of Istanbul council are expected to display a similar attitude when they gather on May 11 – which comes almost two months since that body’s last meeting.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, whose efforts to collect donations have been blocked by the government since March, followed a path similar to Yavas, organizing a campaign calling on wealthier residents to anonymously help their poorer neighbors pay their bills.
Anka Review, 3-10 May, 2020
CHP EU Representation - Brussels 