Mayor speaking at the UN: "Have local self-government bodies"

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Turan: We are having this conversation some time after the biggest earthquake in the history of Turkey. The region that suffered the most destruction in Istanbul from the earthquake that occurred on August 17, 1999, was Avcılar district, where you are currently the mayor. Did you consider this factor when you ran for the mayoralty?

Hançerli: I say clearly and categorically: my becoming mayor was born out of my intention to prevent the destruction of a district and, of course, the city as a whole in connection with an earthquake. Avcılar district, which was razed to the ground as a result of the earthquake, has not been rebuilt in 20 years. I set out with the goal of reversing the fate of the district and raising this district to its feet. Therefore, as soon as I was elected, we started building buildings with strong resistance against the destruction that can be caused by natural disasters in Avcılar. We have been working tirelessly and without discouragement for about 4 years.

The issue of the earthquake is not a problem we brought up after the natural disaster, the center of which is Kahramanmaraş; on the contrary, we talk about it 365 days a year and do the necessary work. Today, everyone is talking about the earthquake but I am afraid that those who are talking today will not be talking about this problem after 10-15 days. I will never give up on these things. Because if all the buildings in the region you control cannot stand against the earthquake, you will see later that it is useless to talk. Therefore, the issue of constructions that can withstand an earthquake is a national security issue for Turkey.

Turan: We know that you gave a report at the UN about your projects and the work you do. What would you like to say about it?

Hançerli: We are one of the few municipalities in Turkey and the world that prepared reports on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. That is why we are among the leading municipalities in the world. Our positively received report was exemplified everywhere. I gave a detailed report on these issues at the invitation of the UN. The world is closely interested in the issues of building modern cities related to sustainable development, strong infrastructure, and climate conditions. And I shared my ideas and concepts with the world in the example of the Avcılar district of Istanbul, where I am the mayor. Since the work we have done has been appreciated both in Turkey and the world, we are happy and continue our journey with excitement.

Turan: The role of municipalities in the democratization of Turkey has been an undeniable reality for 40 years. In the modern world, it is impossible to have not only democracy but also a state without municipalities. What do you think?

Hançerli:  Local self-government bodies are very important institutions. When the population is faced with daily problems, they go to the municipalities. Municipalities are also places where problems are solved. Strengthening the activities of local self-government bodies is the main condition for the implementation of the principle of fair distribution of income, which is the most important issue in the world, and for the development of democracy. Municipalities are the central address of sustainable development. As the activity of local self-government bodies strengthens, so does the central government, and the development of the country accelerates. Because of this, the trust in the state in society is not shaken. Therefore, it is always necessary to strengthen the municipalities.

After the earthquake, the central government was able to reach Hatay or Kahramanmaraş after 48 hours. However, the municipalities of those provinces started to act after the earthquake and tried to stop the bleeding from the wounds in the first 36 hours. While the central government and international health organizations were thinking of ways to fight against the COVID-19 virus, local self-government bodies intervened and found ways to solve the problem. The central government was able to send masks to citizens weeks or even months later. This case shows the power difference between local self-government bodies and the central government in solving problems. Therefore, the central government should give an important part of its authority to local self-government bodies.

Turan: Municipal institutions exist on paper in some of the countries that left the former USSR, especially Azerbaijan. However, we know that elections for the Baku municipality were held as early as 1903. As an experienced politician, what would you recommend to countries without municipalities?

Hançerli: I would recommend that they have municipalities. The absence of active municipalities shows that the central government is indebted to the people. That's why I recommend having strong municipalities. They should not be afraid of local self-government bodies. If they want the welfare and happiness of the people, they should give some of the powers of the central government to the municipalities as soon as possible.

Turan: You are the mayor elected from the opposition party. Does the central government create barriers against you in what you do?

Hançerli: In fact, representing different parties in governance should not be a problem. It is important to take jointly defined steps to manage the country. There is a division of labor between the central government and the municipalities. The work of municipalities cannot be done by the central government, and the work of the central government cannot be done by municipalities. Therefore, they should not be competitors but complement each other. The main goal should be to increase the national income per person and solve the problems quickly. It is necessary to stay away from everything that will be an obstacle to these works.

In Istanbul, the central government's behavior as a competitor in the work done by the municipality disrupts coordination, and as a result, citizens suffer for many years. This cannot be accepted. Although the parties governing the central government and the municipalities are different, the central government should not create such unnecessary obstacles. If the Republican People's Party, to which I belong, comes to central power tomorrow and creates such obstacles, it will also be a mistake. However, I believe that in the future, the central government and local self-governing bodies will take steps to serve the country only.

It is not necessary for the central government and the municipalities to be in the same party, the main issue is to understand the responsibility of serving the country. Turkey needs it and will achieve it. Cooperation should be the dominant principle everywhere. The central government and local self-government bodies must protect the interests of Turkey's 85 million citizens. We cannot do anything other than the happiness of our citizens.

Today, I work for the comfort and happiness of the 458,000 inhabitants of Avcılar district. That's why I have to work harmoniously with everyone from our Istanbul metropolitan municipality to our central government. Democracy will develop in this way, our state will be strengthened in this way.