Amid opposition reactions to government use of the state bureaucracy and local municipalities to stage rallies for an April 16 referendum, Mahmut Demirtaş, governor of Adana province, announced on Monday that public transportation would be free for people attending a rally to be held by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on April 7 in the city.
According to the Diken news website, in a meeting with neighborhood administrators (mukhtars), Demirtaş called on all citizens to attend an inauguration of facilities by Erdoğan that will take place in Uğur Mumcu Square.
Erdoğan has been participating in large rallies during the inauguration ceremonies of facilities in many provinces where he is campaigning for a “yes” vote in a referendum on a constitutional reform package that will introduce an executive presidency.
Over the weekend the Ankara Municipality made public transportation free for people who participated in an Erdoğan rally. Republican People’s Party deputy Murat Emir then reported Ankara Mayor Melik Gökçek to the Supreme Election Board (YSK).
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), backed by the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), pushed through the legislation that President Erdoğan says will bring the strong leadership needed to prevent a return of the fragile coalition governments of the past.
The CHP and pro-Kurdish HDP fear the reform will fuel authoritarianism.
The reform will enable Erdoğan to appoint and dismiss government ministers, take back the leadership of the ruling party and govern until 2029.