AK Party deputy says opposition can do nothing ‘without AK Party'

Addressing the residents of Kırıkkale while opening his party’s election office in the town of Hacılar, Kırıkkale, ahead of the local elections to be held on March 29, the AK Party Kırıkkale deputy, a member of the parliamentary Planning and Budgetary Commission, said the opposition cannot provide services for citizens unless the government allows it to. “Nobody can do a single thing here without our permission. If someone comes and promises to do something, do not believe them. They cannot do anything without us,” he said.

Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Şahin also drew the ire of many on Monday after he commented on the discord between the government and municipalities governed by opposition parties. “Local administrations that conflict with the government cannot get all of their projects approved in Ankara. Therefore, our problems will be solved more easily if municipal administrators who are in harmony with their public, the government and the state are serving,” Şahin had said. He later said his comments had been misinterpreted.