"A new law empowering Turkey's central government to seize historic properties from local authorities is raising fears that heritage sites are becoming the latest front in a wider campaign against opposition-led municipalities. Among the sites at stake are cultural venues run by the Istanbul municipality, whose mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu launched an ambitious conservation drive and expanded cultural programming before he was jailed last year after announcing plans to run for president."
"Changes to a law governing foundations, or vakıfs, took effect in December, stipulating that property originally endowed to a foundation-often centuries ago-or that once benefited from foundation resources, and is now held by other public institutions, will be transferred to state-run foundations. Zeynep Oduncu Kutevi, a lawmaker for the People's Equality and Democracy Party, warns that such legislation risks "not only cultural loss but a usurpation of the people's will and identity" as the government seeks to "side-line" municipalities."
Central government authority has been expanded to seize historic properties from local authorities, raising fears that heritage sites are becoming a front in actions against opposition-led municipalities. Cultural venues run by the Istanbul municipality, restored and programmed under mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, are among those at risk; İmamoğlu was jailed last year after announcing presidential plans. Changes to foundation (vakıf) law, effective in December, mandate transfer of properties originally endowed to foundations or that once benefited from foundation resources and are now held by other public institutions to state-run foundations. Critics warn of cultural loss and erosion of local self-government.
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