Büyükerşen seems on road to Eskişehir rout
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by İzgi Güngör
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 27, 2009 00:00
ESKİŞEHİR -The race to become mayor of Eskişehir will take place between incumbent Mayor Yılmaz Büyükerşen and the Justice and Development Party. A former rector of Anadolu University, Büyükerşen is widely credited by the people of Eskişehir as being the architect behind the rapid growth and increasing prosperity of the central Anatolian city
Victory for a third time seems to be in hand for incumbent Eskişehir Mayor Yılmaz Büyükerşen, yet the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, isn’t giving up its last minute effort in the local elections.
Eskişehir in central Anatolia is a fairly modern city and locals agree that this progress is due to the dedicated efforts and vision of much-loved Professor Büyükerşen from the Democratic Left Party, or DSP, who has held the mayoral seat since 1999. With the innovative urbanization projects such as the construction of a unique tramway system, clean up of the formerly-grubby Porsuk River where people can now enjoy a gondola tour, and his emphasis on educational and cultural projects, he transformed the city into a sophisticated and new city, according to many.
It would not be wrong to say that the race will be between Büyükerşen himself and the AKP in Eskişehir as the majority of people say his name when asked who they would vote for, emphasizing that they would vote for the name of Büyükerşen, not for the party. Büyükerşen is favored in Eskişehir because, as he and the locals said, he restored the image of the city and his work is apparent.
’Modern and clean city’
"He developed the city from a small town to a European city. We couldn’t even walk in the city because of the smell of fuel oil. He created a modern and clean Eskişehir. Eskişehir citizens don’t give up him," said a local.
But the fate of the election may change with the votes from the city’s outskirts where many people think they are neglected and are deciding between the AKP and the Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP. The political attitude of the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, electorates will also be determining as some think the CHP’s decision to run a candidate in the city is likely to contribute to the AKP and hinder some of the CHP votes, which would originally go to Büyükerşen.
The AKP is forcing its fate in Eskişehir and trying to tempt votes, especially in the peripheries of Tepebaşı and Odunpazarı via aid packages. The high-speed train line between Ankara and Eskişehir, inaugurated by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Finance Minister Kemal Unakıtan’s visit to his hometown, Eskişehir, are also deemed to be the clear indications of this interest. Being one of the two electoral regions together with İzmir where the social democrats secured dominance in 2004, Eskişehir stands as the coveted electorate to be captured by the AKP.
"Büyükerşen ignores the city’s outskirts and pays all his attention to the city center. We only see the statues and parks. There is no infrastructure in suburban areas. The transportation is too expensive. I will vote for the AKP," said a local woman with a headscarf living in the suburb Şirintepe. Another woman said; "There has been mobility in the city, but it is not enough. I will vote for the AKP candidate as the government power may be an advantage."
Still there is great sympathy for Büyükerşen from the periphery. Many living in the city’s outskirts say they will vote for Büyükerşen for the metropolitan municipality but prefer either the MHP or AKP in the districts. The high-speed train enlivened the city’s economic life but the economic crisis hit the shop owners. But they say it will not affect their votes. The taxi drivers’ major problem is the traffic and lack of parking lots.
"Local administrations in Eskişehir are traditionally not ruled by the governing party. We will vote for the name of Büyükerşen, the best candidate for us," said a taxi driver. Restaurant owner Emine İbek, 51, says no harm comes from the intellectuals, referring to Büyükerşen’s academic identity.
"Büyükerşen is honest and hardworking. I will vote for him," said simit-seller Mevlüt Çetin. Architect H.D. said; "The CHP may divide the votes but aids don’t work here. Eskişehir is made up of highly-educated people and many are satisfied with what they see around. Eskişehir doesn’t sell its vote for aid."
The existence of two universities Anadolu University and Osmangazi University created economic dynamism and turned the city into a student city. With close to 50,000 students, the university students imply a significant vote potential. Anadolu University rector Fevzi Sürmeli said the students were well satisfied with the standards their university offered them in the campus in many aspects and that they looked for the same standards in the city as well.
"Students here know what they want. It isn’t easy to satisfy them and tempt their votes," he said.
Eskişehir in central Anatolia is a fairly modern city and locals agree that this progress is due to the dedicated efforts and vision of much-loved Professor Büyükerşen from the Democratic Left Party, or DSP, who has held the mayoral seat since 1999. With the innovative urbanization projects such as the construction of a unique tramway system, clean up of the formerly-grubby Porsuk River where people can now enjoy a gondola tour, and his emphasis on educational and cultural projects, he transformed the city into a sophisticated and new city, according to many.
It would not be wrong to say that the race will be between Büyükerşen himself and the AKP in Eskişehir as the majority of people say his name when asked who they would vote for, emphasizing that they would vote for the name of Büyükerşen, not for the party. Büyükerşen is favored in Eskişehir because, as he and the locals said, he restored the image of the city and his work is apparent.
’Modern and clean city’
"He developed the city from a small town to a European city. We couldn’t even walk in the city because of the smell of fuel oil. He created a modern and clean Eskişehir. Eskişehir citizens don’t give up him," said a local.
But the fate of the election may change with the votes from the city’s outskirts where many people think they are neglected and are deciding between the AKP and the Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP. The political attitude of the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, electorates will also be determining as some think the CHP’s decision to run a candidate in the city is likely to contribute to the AKP and hinder some of the CHP votes, which would originally go to Büyükerşen.
The AKP is forcing its fate in Eskişehir and trying to tempt votes, especially in the peripheries of Tepebaşı and Odunpazarı via aid packages. The high-speed train line between Ankara and Eskişehir, inaugurated by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Finance Minister Kemal Unakıtan’s visit to his hometown, Eskişehir, are also deemed to be the clear indications of this interest. Being one of the two electoral regions together with İzmir where the social democrats secured dominance in 2004, Eskişehir stands as the coveted electorate to be captured by the AKP.
"Büyükerşen ignores the city’s outskirts and pays all his attention to the city center. We only see the statues and parks. There is no infrastructure in suburban areas. The transportation is too expensive. I will vote for the AKP," said a local woman with a headscarf living in the suburb Şirintepe. Another woman said; "There has been mobility in the city, but it is not enough. I will vote for the AKP candidate as the government power may be an advantage."
Still there is great sympathy for Büyükerşen from the periphery. Many living in the city’s outskirts say they will vote for Büyükerşen for the metropolitan municipality but prefer either the MHP or AKP in the districts. The high-speed train enlivened the city’s economic life but the economic crisis hit the shop owners. But they say it will not affect their votes. The taxi drivers’ major problem is the traffic and lack of parking lots.
"Local administrations in Eskişehir are traditionally not ruled by the governing party. We will vote for the name of Büyükerşen, the best candidate for us," said a taxi driver. Restaurant owner Emine İbek, 51, says no harm comes from the intellectuals, referring to Büyükerşen’s academic identity.
"Büyükerşen is honest and hardworking. I will vote for him," said simit-seller Mevlüt Çetin. Architect H.D. said; "The CHP may divide the votes but aids don’t work here. Eskişehir is made up of highly-educated people and many are satisfied with what they see around. Eskişehir doesn’t sell its vote for aid."
The existence of two universities Anadolu University and Osmangazi University created economic dynamism and turned the city into a student city. With close to 50,000 students, the university students imply a significant vote potential. Anadolu University rector Fevzi Sürmeli said the students were well satisfied with the standards their university offered them in the campus in many aspects and that they looked for the same standards in the city as well.
"Students here know what they want. It isn’t easy to satisfy them and tempt their votes," he said.