Akçaabat Mayor defends 2027 municipal budget against opposition

Akçaabat Mayor Osman Nuri Ekim has addressed criticisms from opposition members regarding the municipality's 2027 budget. Responding to allegations that the budget is intended for election-related investments, Ekim emphasized that the municipality maintains strict fiscal discipline and operates according to planned services rather than political cycles.

Ekim clarified that increases in the Special Affairs Department budget are due to the inclusion of district festival expenses and representation costs, noting that this year's festival budget was approximately 15 million lira. He also addressed rising interest expenses, attributing them to inflation and the necessity of increasing funds to maintain the same level of service and purchasing power in a changing economic environment.