CHP declares five targets for Istanbul ahead of local polls

ISTANBUL

Ekrem İmamoğlu, the main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) candidate for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality mayor seat, has outlined five major problems of Istanbul that he promises to resolve.

“I have five major substantial goals for Istanbul. I will achieve these with five fundamental manners of rule. Above all, there will be a constitution of the city, an agreement that will be formed by communal reconciliation,” said İmamoğlu at a Dec. 27 event by the party to introduce him as the candidate in the March 31, 2019 local election.

His five goals for Istanbul is to solve the city’s transportation problem, alleviate poverty and mark down cost of living, implement correct urban development and planning policies and tackle the issue of earthquakes, settle the problem of unemployment of Istanbul and make it an attraction spot for talented people and permanent investors to come.

“[Istanbul] can only be governed by a young and dynamic mayor from the younger generation. I stand to make it a globally acknowledged city,” he added.

The candidate said Istanbul will become a safe haven for women.

“Istanbul will be a woman-friendly city,” he added.

The mayor candidate urged all electorates to go to polling stations and vote despite their feelings of “hopelessness.”

İmamoğlu said he upholds the CHP’s promise to make the net monthly minimum wage 2,200 Turkish Liras (nearly $417) and make up the difference for the three months as soon as he comes to the office.

“If I am up for governing a humongous city, it is because of the ever-expanding alliance of Istanbul, in which people with different political views congregate,” he said.

One needs willpower, knowledge and experience to head Istanbul and İmamoğlu holds these three merits, CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said, addressing the same event.

“We have faith in him,” he said.

The party leader also stressed that Istanbul’s history, culture and nature has been “plundered” and this situation “has to be fixed.”

The municipality in Istanbul’s Beylikdüzü district, which has been run by İmamoğlu, is a good example in terms of creating employment, the party leader said.

“[İmamoğlu] loves Istanbul and works hard for it. He will make history in Istanbul in five years,” he said.

“Savings must be done timely. We should avoid wastage. [İmamoğlu] will make Istanbul a city that can compete with the world’s metropolises. Everyone needs to enjoy their trips to Istanbul,” Kılıçdaroğlu added.