Mayor’s luxury official car causes controversy

MUĞLA – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

A luxury official car issued to Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Osman Gürün, a member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), has become a matter of public debate across the country.

CHP provincial head Mürsel Alban said the luxury official car, which is worth about 770,000 Turkish Liras, was purchased through a bank promotion.

“The statements regarding the car purchased by the municipality for the amount of 300,000 Euros are completely wrong. The vehicle was allocated to the municipality by the bank due to the fact the municipality has deposited money in the bank. Our municipality just covers fuel expenses,” said Alban.

Meanwhile, ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) provincial head İhsan Küreci responded to Alban’s statements, saying the “promotion” should be used for the good of the municipality and its urbanites.

“If you had a one million lira promotion from the bank, why did you not first think about using it as a fund for your personnel and the needy, or for a shoestring budget? Believe me, you could find something else to do for Muğla, its citizens and its municipality personnel with a million lira promotion. It means the municipality’s most crucial necessity was an official car,” said Küreci, adding it is illegal to cover vehicle expenses using the institution’s budget.

Muğla Governor Amir Çiçek’s official car is the same model.

Photos of the mayor’s luxury car have circulated on the internet, causing outrage among social media users.