Former CHP Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer made a statement on his social media account after Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay joined the AKP.
Soyer, who was detained, stated that the development was not a surprise to him and that the trust of the people of Izmir in the ballot box and politics was shaken.
Describing the events in Izmir as a "big shock", Soyer said, "Although it is not a surprise for me, I know that the big shock in Izmir in recent days was unexpected for the majority of Izmir residents. The majority of them think that their votes were stolen."
Arguing that municipal employees have been faced with injustice and pressure for the last 2.5 years, Soyer called on the people of Izmir to remind the metropolitan municipal council members of their responsibility of representation. At the end of his statement, Soyer stated that he had a hearing in Aliağa Şakran Prison on October 16 and said, "My conscience is clear, I am waiting for the day when I will meet you."
"EACH OF US SHOULD THINK"
Tunç Soyer's statement is as follows:
"Dear friends,
I know that the great earthquake experienced in Izmir recently, although it was not a surprise to me, was unexpected for the majority of Izmir residents. The vast majority think their votes were stolen. I am also aware that this earthquake has come to the point of destroying faith and trust in Izmir, democracy, the ballot box and even politics in general. But we see that even if we let go, politics will not let us go. As Marcus Aurelius said; Life is not just about what happens to us, it is shaped by our reactions to them.
In short, each of us should think about what can be done in this situation. In this context, I would like to share my two wishes with you.
One is about Izmir Metropolitan Municipality employees and the other is about all Izmir residents.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality was governed by opposition mayors for many years. Municipal staff are people who are born with this awareness and the responsibility of producing the best service. Their work has always been difficult due to various impossibilities and problems, but they have managed to overcome them with their efforts and honor. The culture of producing the highest quality service under all circumstances has turned into an exemplary local government model for Turkey, partly due to these difficulties. I will never forget for the rest of my life the pride I feel for every worker who demonstrated the best examples of this model during the pandemic and the earthquake. Appreciation of the service produced by these workers has always played a role in the voting preferences of the people of Izmir.
I have been seeing the injustice and oppression they have been subjected to for 2.5 years. I hope that from now on, the value of this culture and the staff that implements it will be known. The people of Izmir are not deprived of the service of these experienced staff.
"THIS RESPONSIBILITY HAS INCREASED ONE TIME"
My second wish is for the people of Izmir.
Current local government legislation imposes stronger powers and responsibilities on the metropolitan council than on the mayor. As it is known, the parliament consists of members elected from among the council members of 30 districts. It is their primary responsibility to protect the rights and laws of the districts from which they are elected before the metropolitan municipality. Now this responsibility has increased even more. I have no doubt that each of them will protect both their districts, Izmir and the Izmir stance. However, regardless of the district in which they live, Izmir residents should remind that the will of the metropolitan council members of that district bear the responsibility of representing them, and perhaps they should develop new coordination mechanisms to ensure this communication.
Perhaps when democracy becomes stronger by struggling with difficulties, it turns into a more useful and valuable form of government. I believe that the people of Izmir will do their best for this. If there is something that can be done, there is always room for hope. I hope the people of Izmir do not lose hope for a better Izmir.
Most of them are already gone, a few remain..!
I have a hearing at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning at Aliağa Şakran Prison. My conscience is clear, I am waiting for the day when I will meet you.
Hello, with love and respect,
Stay well."
