Court Overturns Ankara Water Tariff Increase: AK Party Deputy Gökçek Slams Mayor Yavaş
Ankara, April 14 – The Ankara Administrative Court has overturned a decision by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Council regarding changes to water tariffs, a move announced by AK Party Ankara Deputy Osman Gökçek. The decision, originally made on June 14, 2025, to modify water tariffs, has been legally invalidated, marking a significant development in the ongoing dispute over utility costs in the capital.
Speaking at a press conference at the Parliament, Gökçek stated that ABB Mayor Mansur Yavaş had promised to lower water prices before taking office. However, Gökçek alleged that since Yavaş assumed his position, water bills have seen an increase of over 300%.
Expert Reports Reveal Significant Tariff Hikes
Gökçek criticized Yavaş’s explanation that the latest water tariff changes only affected high-volume users. He reminded the public that he had previously filed a petition with the Ankara Administrative Court to annul the ABB Council’s June 14, 2025, decision on water tariff changes and to halt its implementation.
“Today, what did the court say? What did two separate expert reports reveal? The first expert report showed that water was sold at a 93% higher price for residences and workplaces. Then the Metropolitan Municipality objected. A second report was prepared. This report revealed a 31% increase for 11 different subscriber groups,” Gökçek elaborated.
“What Will Mansur Yavaş Say to the Citizens?”
Highlighting the discrepancy between public statements and actual practices regarding water tariffs, Gökçek asserted, “Water tariffs must be determined based on cost. What was done here? Water, a fundamental human right, was turned into a source of income at the expense of citizens. The ABB told the court they were selling water with a 6.5% profit. An unfair gain was made from the citizens’ pockets. Mansur Yavaş and his team openly lied to the judiciary and the citizens.”
Gökçek mentioned that Ankara residents had urged him not to remain silent in the face of exorbitant water bills. “Because the bills had reached an incredible level. We, thankfully, did not remain silent. We fought this battle, and today we prevented the plundering of our Ankara compatriots’ budgets. I state clearly: today the court annulled this decision. If Mansur Yavaş tries to repeat this with the same understanding and mentality, we will be here again, we will go to court again, and we will stop this unlawfulness. Regardless of our political views, it is my duty to defend the rights of every Ankaralı. Today, I carry the pride and responsibility of having stopped those dirty hands reaching into citizens’ pockets through legal means.”
Gökçek challenged Mayor Yavaş, asking, “You came saying ‘we will make water cheaper.’ Will you continue to impose these increases? Are you not ashamed to pass the bill for bankrupting the municipality and its affiliated companies onto the citizens?” He added, “Now what will Mansur Yavaş say to the citizens? Isn’t it a shame for these citizens? You reach into the citizen’s pocket and then shamelessly say ‘I made a 6.5% increase.’ In court, it turns out to be 93%, 31%. One should have some shame.”
This court decision marks a significant victory for those opposing the water tariff increases and puts further pressure on the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality to address public concerns regarding utility costs.
Source: Hürriyet Gazetecilik ve Matbaacılık A.Ş
