İzmir Mayor faces Criticism Over Luxury Vehicle Rental Amidst garbage crisis
İZMİR, Turkey – Konak district residents are voicing outrage as mounting garbage piles plague their neighborhoods, while Mayor Nilüfer Çınarlı Mutlu has authorized the rental of a luxury Volvo XC60 for 276,000 TL per month, according to reporting by Akşam newspaper. The discrepancy between the city’s sanitation issues and the mayor’s transportation choice has sparked public condemnation.
The rental cost, exceeding twice the typical market price for similar vehicles valued between 4.5-5 million TL, has drawn particular scrutiny. Residents expressed their frustration, stating, ”We live among the garbage, the president is in luxury,” highlighting the perceived disconnect between the local government’s priorities and the daily realities faced by citizens.
The garbage accumulation stems from recent actions taken by employees of MER-BEL A.Ş., the municipal waste management company, who were protesting for improved salaries and social rights. While garbage collection briefly resumed following an agreement with the workers, waste has again begun to accumulate in the district in recent weeks.
The situation underscores ongoing challenges in Konak’s waste management system and raises questions about resource allocation within the municipality. The mayor’s office has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the vehicle rental and the ongoing sanitation issues.
