AKP mayors in three major cities to seek new terms, Erdogan announces

In local elections set for next March, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has decided to try to stay with the current mayors of three greater municipalities. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday announced the re-nomination of the AKP mayors: Mehmet Özhaseki in Kayseri, Menderes Türel in Antalya and Tahir Akyürek in Konya. Saying that these cities look to the entire world like European cities, Erdogan said this is the result of his party's work at the local level. He added that they would finish announcing the candidates next month. In nominating the candidates for Istanbul and Kocaeli over the weekend, the AKP is also expected to continue with the current mayors. Also touching on government aid for the needy, Erdogan denied opposition claims that the AKP is using this aid for political ends. Under the Constitution, the Turkish Republic is a social welfare state, and this requires aid to the needy, he said. "That's all that we're doing now," he added. In related news, the main opposition Republican People Party (CHP) is expected to nominate its current Izmir Greater Municipality Mayor Aziz Kocaoglu for another term.