Erdoğan criticizes opposition over municipalities

Erdoğan on Wednesday spoke at an extended meeting of his Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) provincial chapters. He praised his party's understanding of intra-party democracy, saying they could hold congresses in harmony, whereas the usual scene at other parties' congresses is chairs and stools being thrown at people.

The prime minister noted that his party's congresses were continuing at full speed, noting local congresses in 60 provinces have already been completed. He said the enthusiasm shown by party delegates and members and the harmony with which AK Party delegates work in congresses was a subject of jealousy for others. “We, in our congresses, give a lesson in solidarity, brotherhood, sharing and democracy. But in other parties, you see stools and chairs flying in the air. Swear words, insults and fists speak in those congresses.”

He said the opposition was only interested in protecting the rights of certain societal segments and classes. “They [the opposition] have chosen the enemies of the will of the public as their allies. And now they are continuing with those allies. They are walking hand-in-hand with the people who refer to the people as ‘bucket head, stupid, brainless and the man who scratches his belly',” he said, referring to an article published by Bekir Coşkun, who was a Hürriyet writer at the time, that criticized the people when the AK Party came to power after an overwhelming election victory.

Erdoğan said opposition parties have failed to improve the cities and districts where they are in power in municipal offices. “They should speak with the services of their municipalities. They should show what they have done, what they have built in the municipalities that they run in Diyarbakır, Antalya, Mersin and Van.”

He said running a municipality was an exercise in running a government. “Be successful at running municipalities and earn the government. This is how we did it,” he said.

Erdoğan said in provinces and districts run by the opposition, municipalities were in deplorable condition. “Look at Diyarbakır, Mersin, Antalya and Hakkari, and you will see how these [opposition parties] view the nation. They see citizens in municipal areas they run worthy of dirt, pits and even sewer water running through a streets. If they, accidentally, come to power tomorrow, that's how they will treat the 75 million people of Turkey.”