Şehitkamil Municipality Sells 6 Billion TL in Real Estate Following Mayor's Switch to AKP

Quick summary

Gaziantep Şehitkamil Municipality Mayor Umut Yılmaz has put up for sale municipal land worth a total of 6 billion TL since his transition from the CHP to the AKP. Under the latest tender, 21 properties were offered for sale at a value of 717 million TL. The opposition is reacting to the fact that a mayor who came to office through elections changed parties and subsequently proceeded with asset sales in this scope.

Why it matters

Large-scale municipal property sales in Gaziantep could affect urban development plans and the local investment environment. While sales revenues shape the municipality's budget, uncertainty about the reasons behind these transactions raises questions regarding the credibility of local politics.

Key takeaways

• ›After winning 39.6 percent of the vote on the CHP ticket in March 2024 and then defecting to the AKP, Mayor Umut Yılmaz oversaw the start of large-scale municipal real estate sales.
• ›The latest auction lists 21 properties — land, shops, residences, and industrial areas — with a combined appraised value of 717,966,000 TL.
• ›When the same municipality was under AKP administration during 2014–2019, real estate sales of comparable magnitude did not generate controversy.
• ›Opposition parties are criticizing the elected mayor for selling institutional municipal assets shortly after switching parties.