AKP’s under pressure Bursa mayor vows to ‘continue with our job’

ANKARA

Bursa Mayor Recep Altepe has vowed to “continue to do our job” despite President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s persistent calls for his resignation.

Bursa Mayor Recep Altepe has vowed to “continue to do our job” despite President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s persistent calls for his resignation.

“We are continuing to do our jobs,” Altepe told reporters on the morning of Oct. 20.  

“I haven’t said anything on this subject and I have nowhere to talk anyway,” he said. 

His comments came amid an ongoing saga in the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), with President Erdoğan calling on Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek, Balıkesir Mayor Ahmet Edip Uğur and Bursa Mayor Altepe to resign. 

“Right now three mayors have submitted their resignation. There are three more mayors who will submit their resignation shortly. Otherwise the necessary measures will be taken,” Erdoğan had said on Oct. 19. 

Altepe was speaking to reporters upon arrival at Bursa Airport after a visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, where he attended a commemoration event marking country’s 25th year of independence on Oct. 18. 

Following Altepe’s comments, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım also spoke on the issue on Oct. 20, telling reporters that he “believes our friends will do whatever is necessary.”