CTP Chairman Erhürman stated that the criteria set for the “Local Administrations Reform” were not followed and that it was clearly seen that it was combined with purely political calculations.
President of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP)Tufan Erhürman made statements about the Local Government Reform.
“TOGETHER WE WILL WRITE THE COMMON SUCCESS STORY OF THIS SOCIETY”
Pointing out that the closure of all municipalities would create a terrible chaos, Erhürman said, “The economic impoverishment we are in brings the democratic impoverishment. What we experience in terms of democracy drags down the morale of the society. Let’s not lose hope, we will write the common success story of this society together.”
According to the information given by the CTP Press Office, the Chairman of the CTP Tufan Erhürman answered questions in a television program he attended.
“LET’S GIVE AUTONOMOUS AUTHORITIES TO MUNICIPALITIES AND OPEN TO MORE AUDITING”
Stating that the idea of establishing some criteria for local governments was theirs, Erhürman reminded that first of all, 12 municipalities tried to close this business. Stating that they repeatedly asked what criteria 12 municipalities would stay, Erhürman said that they saw that there was no answer to this question.
Erhürman said, “There are plans made in this regard, there are experts. We said let’s call the experts and set up a committee. Let the experts explain to us on what criteria the local government reform was made. We did this and as a result of the study, some criteria emerged.”
Emphasizing that there are 28 municipalities and that they should not try to close any one of these municipalities, Erhürman said, “We decided to do what is understood in the reform of municipalities in the world. Let’s give more autonomous powers, transfer some of the powers of the center to the local, strengthen the municipalities financially, and enable the municipalities to be opened to more inspection,” he said.
“GOVERNMENT WANTED TO FINISH THIS WORK OVER 18 MUNICIPALITIES”
Who said they made concrete suggestions? Tufan Erhürman emphasized that they propose to make 8 or 10 of the 28 municipalities as city municipalities.
Stating that they propose to transfer the authorities from the center to these city municipalities, Erhürman said, “If you want to bring unification to the agenda in some places, let’s discuss over this model.”
Emphasizing that the ‘government’ wanted to finish this work out of 18 municipalities, Erhürman said that they did not even talk about closing a municipality.
Erhürman stated that they propose to protect 28 municipalities as regional municipalities and to make 10 of them city municipalities.
Pointing out that when Serdarlı and Geçitkale are combined, it will not add any economic meaning to the region, Erhürman emphasized that it is not possible for these municipalities to generate more income. Erhürman said, “Why do you keep Tatlısu separate and unite the others? Because Tatlısu is the only municipality of government partner DP. You left out Beyarmudu, we ask what is the reason because Beyarmudu is the mayor of UBP,” he said.
“THIS SITUATION CREATES A TERRIBLE CHAOS”
Erhürman, who criticized the failure to go through the determined criteria, argued that it was clearly seen that it was completely combined with political accounts.
Emphasizing that it is not possible for them to support the situation in question, Erhürman stated that decisions are being made without asking the people of the region anything.
Continuing his words about the ‘reform’ in question, Erhürman said, “Alayköy has been closed and there is no such thing as joining Gönyeli. Alayköy was also closed, and Gönyeli was also closed. Akıncılar did not connect to Değirmenlik, both are being closed. “To say that they are all being shut down means a terrible chaos,” he said.
Noting that the newly elected mayors will spend their first two years on things such as ‘which personnel will be adapted to where, which garbage truck will go where, from where’, Erhürman said, “Here, the possibility of chaos has been brought in terms of both local democracy, decentralization and the proper execution of services.”
Emphasizing that the reform cannot be ‘solved’ in two months, Erhürman stated that if it is rushed, chaos will be created.
“THEY ARE TRYING TO DRAG MUNICIPALITIES TO CHAOS”
Erhürman reminded that the election that was supposed to be held in June was postponed to November in violation of the Constitution, and reminded that they took this issue to the court.
Emphasizing that they expect a decision on the issue within 10 days, Erhürman claimed that the government is stubbornly trying to drag all municipalities into chaos.
Pointing out that the municipalities that have financial difficulties do not have any problems because there are 28 municipalities. Tufan Erhürman stated that the problems were caused by mismanagement and the lack of timely contribution of the state.
Speaking about the mayoral candidates, Erhürman pointed out that they continue to work in all regions.
“LEFKE MUNICIPALITY IS SWIMMING IN DEBT”
Tufan Erhürman , “Since your intention was to bring the municipalities that could not pay their salaries into a situation where they could pay salaries, why did you never touch Famagusta? The Municipality of Lefke was swimming in debt, it is a municipality that does not have any problems in paying salaries at the moment.”
“CONSULTATION MECHANISMS IN THE ASSEMBLY ARE WORKING VERY BADLY”
Pointing out that some parties have lost the opportunity to say ‘we are better’ and make propaganda that ‘we are all bad’, Erhürman said, “It is not very meaningful to compare everyone. When those in the government make mistakes, the general distrust of the people infects politics. If the CTP comes to power, of course it will not do this. Let’s try the untested as CTP, let’s take the possibility of power alone. Let’s stay in power for 5 years, let’s give an account for this,” he said.
Emphasizing that the consultation mechanisms in the Assembly work very poorly. Erhürman stated that they have no other choice but to go to the Constitutional Court all the time.
Tufan Erhürman pointed out that it is the duty of the Turkish Cypriot people to protect the institutional structure.
Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot people are acutely aware of the difficulties experienced, Erhürman said:
“The economic impoverishment we are in brings democratic impoverishment. The things we experience in terms of democracy are things that bring down the morale of the society. Let’s not lose hope, we will write the common success story of this society together.”