Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) mayor of Ordu Hilmi Güler, also a former minister, takes in a monthly income of TL250,000 (around $42,000) from seven different positions, the Sözcü daily reported.
According to the daily, Güler earns a monthly income of TL15,000 as mayor and TL14,000 as a former deputy. He also receives various amounts of compensation for serving on the board of directors of state-run and private companies such as Orbel, Turkcell, Superonline and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
When recently asked by a journalist about his earning a huge monthly income from his various posts, Güler said, “I’ve assumed these posts to contribute to my country.”
Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Ordu deputy Mustafa Adıgüzel has called on Güler to make a choice between public and private jobs.
“If he doesn’t do this, then his party should. How will he behave when the companies he works with have business with his municipality?” asked Adıgüzel.
According to Turkish law, a person who is elected as mayor must resign from posts in the private sector including those in a family-owned business.