Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay made important assessments on the country's agenda in a television program he attended, and also conveyed the projects implemented in Izmir. Mayor Tugay, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the arrest processes of some district mayors, he emphasized his belief in the rule of law and expressed the discomfort caused by this situation. However, the focal point of his speech was his call for the historic rally to be held in Izmir on May 19. Mayor Tugay invited all Izmir residents and everyone who believes in the values of the Republic, democracy, human rights and justice to come together on this important day, saying, “That day will be one of the most important days in Izmir’s history.”
Emphasis on Law and Message of Solidarity from President Tugay
President Tugay, in his evaluations in the program, stated that the positive atmosphere and desire to serve that emerged after the local elections were overshadowed by some developments. Expressing his belief that the party will walk to power if the valuable mayors and the headquarters are successful, Tugay said, Ekrem İmamoğluHe stated that he is an important leader that society places its hopes in. He respected the legal processes but drew attention to the uncertainty regarding the lack of clarity in the accusations, and emphasized that the law should be implemented fairly.
Financial Challenges and the Will to Fight
Referring to the financial difficulties faced by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Mayor Tugay stated that there were significant cuts in their budgets due to SGK debts. Stating that the negativities created by the pandemic, economic crisis and earthquakes also affected the municipalities, Tugay said that high inflation and interest rates increased the debt burden. Stating that efforts to restructure the debts were ongoing, Mayor Tugay emphasized that despite all these difficulties, their determination to serve Izmir continued.
May 19 Rally: A Historical Day When Izmir Will Raise Its Voice
President Cemil Tugay devoted the most important part of his speech to the rally to be held in Izmir on May 19th. Tugay stated that this rally will be a historic day when Izmir will show its own feelings, its commitment to the Republic, democracy, justice and its stance against injustice, and he expressed that he expects participation not only from Izmir but from all over Türkiye. Reminding that May 19th is a holiday, President Tugay said that this rally to be held upon the call of the General President will be a platform where the people of Izmir will show that they are following in the footsteps of Atatürk and have a conscience against all kinds of injustice in the country.
“That day will be one of the most important days in Izmir’s history. Izmir needs to be there with its people of all ages. Izmir residents need to be there that day,” said President Tugay, emphasizing that this rally does not have any competitive purpose, but will simply be an expression of being Izmir, living in unity of hearts and protecting the values of the Republic. “I am a citizen of the Republic of Turkey. I believe in the Republic, democracy, human rights and justice. I have no doubt that everyone who says ‘I live for truth’ will be there that day,” said Tugay, inviting all of Türkiye and especially everyone who wants to stand in solidarity with those who have suffered injustice to this meaningful rally.
Reminding that May 19 is also the youth's holiday, President Tugay announced that the Duman group, which has shown great interest among young people, will also attend the rally and called on young people to share this enthusiasm.
Cleaning Efforts in Izmir Bay and the Attitude of the Ministries
Referring to the cleaning efforts in the Gulf of Izmir, President Tugay stated that the Gulf was cleaner compared to last year but was not completely cleaned. Stating that the bottom cleaning efforts were continuing uninterruptedly, Tugay said that the municipality did not have control over elements such as ports and industrial facilities that caused the pollution of the Gulf and that the authorization requests from the ministries were not met in this regard. President Tugay stated that they also requested support for the pollution of the Gediz River and the bottom dredging but did not receive the expected assistance, and emphasized that despite all these difficulties, the determination of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality to clean the Gulf continued. Reminding that the Çiğli 4th Phase was opened despite economic difficulties, Tugay said that the people of Izmir were aware of these sacrifices.
Social Housing Project and Transportation Problems
President Tugay, who also provided information about the ongoing social housing project in Menemen, stated that their aim is to make people homeowners with houses with reasonable monthly payments. Tugay, who stated that the target of 25 thousand social housing units has been maintained and that the first step of this project was taken in Menemen, called on the ministry and TOKİ to support this work.
President Tugay, who also touched upon the transportation projects of Izmir, drew attention to the problems in İZBAN, stating that the line was operated jointly with TCDD and that freight trains were disrupting the services. Expressing that this problem should be solved by TCDD, Tugay said that all of the metro lines in Izmir were built by the municipality, and that there had been no progress in the Halkapınar-Otogar line undertaken by the ministry for a long time. He emphasized that despite all these injustices, they would carry Izmir to the most beautiful places together and that the future would be bright.
Collective Bargaining Negotiations and a Message of Hope
Speaking about the collective bargaining agreement negotiations affecting 24 thousand workers, President Tugay stated that they wanted to give a wage that would be comfortable for the workers, but that budget opportunities were limited. Stating that the offer made was above other collective bargaining agreements, but that an agreement had not yet been reached, Tugay said that the municipality was a public institution and that the strike should be at a level that would not paralyze the city. President Tugay, who stated that he was ready to give more if possible, asked the workers to make a reasonable request.
President Tugay concluded his speech with words of hope, “I am worried but we have no right to be hopeless. If we are honorable citizens of this country, if we have inherited the precious republic, if we have to leave a future for our children, we must be hopeful. Everyone will work. They will work, they will work for their country as much as for themselves,” he said, calling on all the people of Izmir and Türkiye to struggle together for a brighter future.
