Harsh words from Mansur Yavaş to 'presidents who changed parties': 'They will answer for this at the ballot box'

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Mayor Mansur Yavaş answered the questions of the press members at the opening ceremony of the Cumhuriyet Swimming Pool and Sports Complex on Etimesgut Bağlıca Boulevard.

Yavaş said, "A transfer agenda continues in politics. First, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay resigned and remained independent for a while. Then he moved to the AK Party. You resigned, you said you would remain independent. Recently, Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras resigned. But the voices of 'New metropolitan mayors will join our party' continue to rise from the AK Party. What do you say about this?" He answered the question as follows:

"THOSE WHO CHANGE THESE PARTIES WILL PAY THAT ACCOUNT AT THE BALLOTS"

"Of course, we need to investigate the reason for this party change first. If you investigate the reason, something will come to light because there has never been such an intense party change before. Therefore, ask our mayors who have changed parties, and they will give an answer. Even if they do not, hopefully the reasons for this will be revealed in time. Mayors are responsible to the people who elected them.

Those who change parties will also give that account at the ballot box. I am not in a position to interfere with someone else's discretion, but we are independent at the moment. We serve the people of Ankara equally. While remaining independent, as you know, there was a separation between the Republican People's Party and the NEW Party, without choosing one over the other, I mean the base, the people who voted and brought us to this position. Moreover, we will continue to serve all of Ankara with our badge on."

"WE ARE DOING A VERY COOPERATIVE WORK"

Yavaş said, "You are also the President of the Historical Cities Union. You have a close communication with other mayors. Is the reason for these transitions discussed among the mayors?" On the question, he said:

"We don't talk much, but working together in such unions has very positive results. In the first election of the Union of Municipalities, the Republican People's Party was under the management of Özgür Bey. They made an offer to the AK Party and the People's Alliance to form the administration together, but it was not accepted at that time. This time, we made such a formation in the Union of Historical Cities. We are extremely pleased because this place is not our personal property, but a legacy left to us from the past. Of course, mayors of all views must cooperate to carry this to the future. "We are working very harmoniously."