BREAKING NEWS… Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek said that investigations into the school attacks that took place in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş are continuing. Minister Gürlek gave the following information in his statement:

Investigations regarding the school attacks that took place in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş provinces are being carried out in a multifaceted manner by our Kahramanmaraş and Siverek Chief Public Prosecutor’s Offices. Sharing images of the incident despite the broadcast ban; Spreads content that may create fear, anxiety and panic among the public; publicly circulates misleading information aimed at discrediting official statements; Many accounts have been identified that praise crime and criminals and encourage them to commit crimes.

In this context, 55 Chief Public Prosecutor’s Offices launched an investigation against 130 account holders and 95 people were detained. Efforts are continuing to capture 35 people, and access to 1,104 social media accounts has been blocked.

In addition, accounts that caused public uneasiness were identified with posts that targeted schools and suggested that attacks would be carried out; In this context, 67 users who targeted 54 schools were detained and legal proceedings are ongoing against them. By our Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office; An instruction has also been given to the General Directorate of Security’s Combating Cyber ​​Crimes Directorate in order to detect and take precautions against digital content and platforms that may lead our children to violence. Period; It is followed by 171 Chief Public Prosecutor’s Offices in 81 provinces and is carried out in coordination with our Ministry of Internal Affairs and our Ministry of National Education.

Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, attended the opening session with the theme of ‘Growing Hope for Future Generations, Ensuring Peace and Ensuring Justice’ within the scope of the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), hosted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Parliamentarians from many countries also attended the opening session.

‘THE CENTERS THAT CLAIM THAT THEY REPRESENT THE CONSCIENCE ARE ENJOYED BY WATCHING THE PAIN’

Speaking at the opening, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Kurtulmuş said, “The international system has clearly gone into collapse. The dire situation in Gaza is only one of the clearest expressions of this collapse. The failure to demonstrate an effective and binding will in the face of a situation where civilians cannot be protected, their right to life cannot be guaranteed, the health infrastructure collapses, humanitarian aid passage is blocked, and basic living opportunities are eliminated; it is a serious responsibility and a serious test for all of us in terms of the international system. There is no need to mince words here. “The international structure, which remains silent in the face of renewed systematic attacks on humanity, is actually losing its founding claims, and the centers that claim to represent conscience are content to watch the pain,” he said.

‘POLITICAL NEGOTIATIONS CAN NEVER BE MADE OVER THE RIGHT TO LIVE OF CIVILIANS’

Kurtulmuş said, “The Palestine issue has gone far beyond being the tragedy of a specific region and has become a common testing ground for humanity. Gaza is like a clear laboratory of how destructive consequences the selective application of humanitarian law produces. Gaza is a heavy test that makes us question why institutions were established today, who the rules exist to protect, and to what extent the human family can behave consistently in the face of common values, and we are all faced with this test. Silence maintained at the expense of the lives of the oppressed, never, never impartiality.” “With your permission, I would like to repeat this sentence. Silence maintained at the expense of the lives of the oppressed can never be accepted as impartiality. I would like to state clearly that the passage of aid convoys cannot be accepted as a blessing depending on the diplomatic calendar and cannot be implemented.

‘PARLAMENTS HAVE A GREAT DUTY’

Kurtulmuş said, “The most basic function of the global conscience is to call a violation a violation, regardless of who it comes from, and to bring the violator before the human family as guilty. What is really needed in the period we are in is to act in accordance with the words spoken and the rules established, rather than producing more words. The international community has to quickly get rid of an understanding that is satisfied with condemnation, lingers with postponement, and confines serious crises to procedural discussions, and solve the problems we face in the international arena with astuteness. We know that diplomacy, of course, requires coolness. Courtesy is one of the indispensable elements of the international system and international contact. However, politeness should never be turned into a cover that makes cruelty invisible, and we should not lose the ability to call the oppressor the oppressor under the curtain of politeness. There is also a difference between speaking in a measured manner and speaking ineffectively. For this reason, I would like to underline that parliaments have a great duty to speak out clearly and never hide the truth in our words. “We will not behave in any way,” he said.

‘IT IS CLEAR THAT WE NEED A MORE SINCERE COOPERATION’

At the end of his speech, Kurtulmuş said, “Most of the societies that bear the heaviest burden are among the societies with the least historical responsibility in all these areas. It is clear that we need a more sensitive, more balanced and more sincere understanding of cooperation in the face of this injustice. We will not be in favor of language that deepens divisions. We will continue to defend a line that is based on fairness, emphasizes negotiation, protects human dignity, reduces representation crises and makes multilateral structures more reputable. The same approach is undoubtedly valid for inter-parliamentary contact. Different views “We have to develop an understanding where discussions can be held on legitimate grounds, harsh disagreements can be handled within civilized procedures, and new opportunities are multiplied around the common good. Undoubtedly, if we act this way, it will be possible for hope to flourish. Undoubtedly, when we act in this way, we will continue our principled stance in political determination. When we act in this way, we will make a great contribution to the expansion of justice in the world.”

Mustafa Kavuş evaluated the seven years he spent in office with an emotional and meaningful message. Kavuş, who described the past seven years as a ‘dedicated journey’, talked about the services provided and shared his hopes for the future. In his statement, Mayor Kavuş expressed his deep commitment to Meram with the following words: “We did not only serve this beloved district for seven years; we engraved our labor on every stone, our love on every street, and our sincerity in every moment.”

“EVERY CORNER OF MERAM HAS A NEW STORY”
Emphasizing that Meram is not just an ordinary town to live in, but also “a garden of civilization that has a soul and breathes”, Mayor Kavuş also revealed the basis of the service concept to date in his statement. Kavuş stated that they worked day and night during their tenure; He stated that they have taken important steps in a wide range of areas, from urban transformation to transportation, from infrastructure to social living spaces. Stating that the face of Meram has changed significantly and modernized in this process, Kavuş said, “The streets echo with hope today; every corner we touch hosts a new story.” With his words, he drew attention to social renewal as well as physical transformation.

“WE PRESERVED THE SPIRIT AND HISTORY OF THE CITY DURING THE SEVEN YEAR PERIOD”
Underlining that the investments made are permanent works left not only for today but also for the future, Mayor Kavuş stated that the roads opened not only shorten the distances, but also bring hearts closer to each other. Stating that the nature of Meram has been added value with the investments made in green areas, Kavuş said that the joy of children, the energy of young people and the peace of adults echoing in the parks are the most concrete reward of these services. Emphasizing that they consider preserving the spirit and historical texture of the city during the modernization process as one of their greatest responsibilities, Kavuş said, “The main thing has always been to keep it alive, beautify it and add meaning. This is what we have achieved the most for seven years.” He summarized his understanding of service with his expressions.

“WE WILL CONTINUE TO WALK WITH THE SAME FAITH AND EFFORT”
Stating that being elected for the second time in Meram has greatly increased his responsibility, Mayor Kavuş said that his efforts to meet expectations have doubled. Mayor Kavuş thanked everyone for their support in every investment made, and stated that the prayers, support and trust of the citizens of Meram are behind all the successes achieved, and that they are working with the effort to be worthy of this trust. Stating that the past seven years have turned into a success story that touched Meram’s destiny and brought hope to its future, Kavuş concluded his words with the following message; “This is just the beginning… We will continue to walk and produce services for a more beautiful, more livable and stronger Meram with the same faith, the same love and the same effort.”

The financial bottleneck that Izmir Metropolitan Municipality was in was also reflected in the reports. According to the 2025 review of the audit commission elected among İZBB Assembly members, the municipality’s income, which was 42.3 billion TL in 2024, reached 65 billion TL in 2025. 77.2 million TL of the 85.7 million TL tax accrual was collected. While the total debt burden exceeded 52.9 billion TL, 42.36 percent of this debt consisted of external financial debts. Its short-term debts were 28 billion 660 million TL, and its long-term debts were 24 billion 316 million TL.

IZSU’S DEBT INCREASED 3 TIMES IN 1 YEAR
The debt of IZSU General Directorate, whose internal and external debt was 5.1 billion TL in 2024, tripled and reached 8.4 billion TL in 2025. It was observed that ESHOT’s total debt reached approximately 9.1 billion TL as of December 31, 2025. The fact that the total debt of the Metropolitan Municipality and its subsidiaries is 80 billion lira caused comments like ‘İZBB is Bankrupt’. According to the report, the district municipalities that received the most investment support from İZBB were Çeşme with 144.4 million TL and Konak with 126.1 million TL. While 39.6 million TL investment support was given to Denizli Bozkurt Municipality, 10.1 million TL resources were transferred to Adıyaman Municipality. The least contribution was received by Karşıyaka, where Tugay was previously president, with 5 million TL.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was a candidate for Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor from the Welfare Party in the local elections held on March 27, 1994, finished first with 25.19 percent of the votes and became the president of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Erdoğan’s term as mayor is full of projects that change the texture of the city and improve the quality of life. During Erdoğan’s term as mayor, Istanbul underwent transformation in many areas, from infrastructure to transportation, from green areas to cultural heritage.

HE BROUGHT SOLUTIONS
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was elected Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in the local elections of March 27, 1994, accurately diagnosed and produced solutions to the chronic problems of Istanbul, one of the most important metropolises in the world, with his political talent, the importance he gave to teamwork, and his successful management in human resources and financial matters. During the reign of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, radical solutions were brought to Istanbul’s infrastructure problems. The city’s infrastructure was strengthened by implementing major sewage and water supply projects. Additionally, solutions were produced to Istanbul’s traffic problem with transportation projects such as metro and highway. The Marmaray project was also started during this period.

BRIDGES WERE BUILT
The water problem is solved by laying hundreds of kilometers of new pipelines; The garbage problem was solved by establishing the most modern recycling facilities of the period. While the air pollution problem ended with the natural gas transition projects developed during the Erdogan period, more than 50 bridges, passages and ring roads were built to overcome the city’s traffic and transportation dilemma; Many projects were developed that would shed light on the following periods. During Erdoğan’s term, Istanbul’s green areas were increased and breathing areas in the city were expanded. Hundreds of new parks and recreation areas were created.

HE SAVED ME FROM THIRST
As soon as Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was elected Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, he solved the water problem of Istanbulites who lived through Karbala. He implemented the Melen Project, the largest drinking water supply project in the history of the Republic. Istanbul’s drinking water needs are guaranteed until 2071. Citizens who carry water from tankers with canisters and buckets have access to drinking water thanks to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s projects.

In Izmir, the social balance compensation crisis broke out after the CHP municipalities of Buca and Karşıyaka and in the Bayraklı Municipality. When an agreement could not be reached in the collective bargaining agreement negotiations that had been going on for a while between the Tüm Bel Sen Izmir No. 2 Branch Management organized in the municipality and the employer, civil servants working in various units of the municipality revolted. The action that the officers started on Monday continued on its third day. News of an action also came from Buca. Civil servants in Buca Municipality, who have not received their social balance compensation for 7 months, went on a half-day work stoppage.

WE WILL NOT COMPROMISE OUR RIGHTS
No consensus could be reached in the Collective Labor Agreements carried out between the municipality and Tüm Bel Sen İzmir Branch No. 2 in İzmir’s Bayraklı district. This being the case, the action started last Monday by the Tüm Bel Sen Union Izmir Branch No. 2, organized in the municipality, continued on Wednesday, April 15th. The civil servants, whose social balance compensations were requested to be lowered below the legal limit, protested the decision. Tüm Bel Sen No. 2 Branch President Nihat Filiz said that they will definitely not give up the vested rights that were obtained as a result of great struggles. Stating that they absolutely do not accept imposition in Bayraklı Municipality, Filiz said, “The mayor is trying to withdraw the collective agreement. We definitely do not accept a figure below the collective agreement we signed. This is not the first time, we have been signing collective labor agreements for 33 years. While we were fighting for unions in the 90s, many of today’s laws did not exist at that time. Many of our friends lost their lives while fighting. There is sweat under our collective agreements. From here, I would like to send a message to CHP Bayraklı Mayor İrfan Önal. “We call once again: Do not play with the vested rights of Bayraklı Municipality employees. We have no income other than salaries,” he said.