“Your Effort Is Present in Every Corner of Bornova”

Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki met with municipal employees ahead of the Ramadan Feast (Eid al-Fitr) to exchange holiday greetings. Expressing his satisfaction and pride that Bornova Municipality was ranked among the most admired municipalities in Türkiye in recent nationwide surveys, Mayor Eşki said, “Your effort is present in every corner of Bornova. This pride belongs to all of us.” He also stated that the detention and subsequent arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19 last year marked the beginning of a critical test in the history of Turkish democracy.

Mayor Eşki gathered with municipal employees before the holiday, starting at the Cleaning Services Directorate depot and continuing at the Public Works and Parks and Gardens directorates. The program concluded at the Nevzat Kavalar Cultural Center. Deputy mayors, council members, and DİSK General-İş Union İzmir Branch No. 7 President Uğur Nazlıoğlu also attended the gatherings.

“We Are in a Struggle for the Survival of Democracy”

Mayor Eşki emphasized that the country is currently going through a period marked by a struggle for democracy and the rule of law, stating that every day represents a fight for existence in terms of democratic values. Referring to the process initiated last year against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, he said:

“A year ago, a process began that dealt a heavy blow to Turkish democracy. Ekrem İmamoğlu, our candidate for president and the Mayor of Istanbul as well as the President of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye, was unjustly and unlawfully detained. For a year, we have been putting in great effort and struggle. The torch of the fight for law and democracy was lit at the massive rally held in Istanbul on March 18. At the same time, we are witnessing an unjust war in the Middle East during this sacred month of Ramadan. We see bombs exploding in different parts of the world every day. As we approach another holiday, we extend our good wishes, but today is also a day when we must remember and demonstrate our responsibilities.”

“Your Effort Is in Every Inch of Bornova”

Highlighting the municipality’s success in recent surveys, Mayor Eşki thanked all employees for their dedication:

“I would like to thank my deputy mayors, directors, chiefs, and all my colleagues for the past two years we have spent together. This success is the result of the devoted efforts of all Bornova Municipality personnel—especially those working in cleaning services, public works, rural services, and parks and gardens. Bornova is a growing city with an increasing population. Every day, work is being carried out in different parts of the district. Managing and organizing this dynamic structure is only possible thanks to your efforts. Your work is visible in every corner of Bornova. Thanks to you, we have built a municipality where transportation is easier, the city is greener, and essential services—from cleaning to emergency response—never stop. I am proud of each and every one of you. Thank you for your hard work. I’m glad you are here. I’m glad we are together. I’m glad we continue to serve our citizens as Bornova Municipality. I believe we will move even further and achieve better outcomes because I trust you.”

“We Will Continue to Stand for Democracy”

DİSK General-İş Union İzmir Branch No. 7 President Uğur Nazlıoğlu also addressed the gathering, referring to the process involving Ekrem İmamoğlu:

“In these days when we are faced with the unlawful and unjust imprisonment of mayors we elected through democratic means, we will continue to stand for democracy no matter what. There is war in neighboring regions, and once again imperialism is turning these lands into a bloodbath in line with its own interests.”