İstanbul Mayor Addresses Thousands, Promises 'a New Generation of Local Democracy'

Click to read the article in Turkish

İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu held a rally titled, "A New Beginning for İstanbul" in Maltepe district.

Before İmamoğlu appeared, a mehter platoon (Ottoman military music band), the Fire of Anatolia dance group and Beylikdüzü Youth Symphony Orchestra performed before the crowd.

Taking security measures, the police closed some roads to traffic and let the participants in the area through checkpoints equipped with metal detectors.

İmamoğlu began his speech thanking his supporters for coming to the rally, then commented on the attack against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), which he is also a member of.

"A sad incident occurred. He said he is fine and sent his greetings. Those who conducted this assault are people who took orders," İmamoğlu told the crowd.

"No gigantic but inhumane projects"

Saying that the happiness of the human is the primary aim of the politics, İmamoğlu assured his supporters that he will keep the promises he made before the March 31 elections.

Imamoğlu said "gigantic but inhumane" projects will be no more in his era, as "a new generation of municipalism" will begin.

"The fait accompli style administration ended. We will decide all together. We will not be of those who think İstanbul as spoils of war," the İstanbul mayor added.

İmamoğlu promised "a new generation" in five areas, namely the politics, municipalism, local democracy, social understanding, and the understanding of citizenship.

(HK/VK)