People's Party

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has called for the recreation of the Turkish Air Association (THK), a key aerial body tasked to fight forest fires, in a nationwide campaign with the participation of municipalities, the government and civil society.

The municipal assembly of the northwestern province of Bolu has accepted Mayor Tanju Özcan's proposal to charge a tenfold fee for the water bills and solid waste taxes of foreigners, mostly directed towards refugees who have settled in the city after fleeing war in Syria.

Main Opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu criticized the government's handling of forest fires while urging for an urgent strategy against climate change.

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Listing what needs to be done regarding the fires, Kılıçdaroğlu said, "We need to start preparing our country for new climate crises immediately."

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli on Aug. 3 criticized social media posts asking for help from the world against wildfires across Turkey.

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Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on Aug. 2 reiterated that the Nation Alliance would determine the presidential candidate through democratic methods, stating that he will agree to run for the president if his allies want him to.

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A number of wildfires are still blazing in Turkey but more than 100 have been brought under control, according to officials Sunday.

The Minister of Forestry and Agriculture, Bekir Pakdemirli, tweeted that five fires were continuing in the tourist destinations of Antalya and Mugla but that 107 others had now been subdued.

A probe into the controversial remarks of Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, who said he would propose to the northwestern province's municipal assembly a motion to charge a tenfold fee for the water bills and solid waste taxes of foreigners in reference to refugees who fled from Syria, has been launched.

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As nationwide concerns over a potential new influx of irregular migrants have grown in recent weeks, a Turkish mayor's controversial proposals and new statements over refugees have precipitated a fresh debate in the country.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has reiterated his warning against refugee influx towards Turkey, saying the issue is a matter of perpetuity for Turkey.

The "West has seen" that they can turn Turkey into an "open prison for refugees," Kılıçdaroğlu said in a video message on Twitter on July 25.

Authorities have fined five people for vandalizing the famous Lake Salda in the province of Burdur.

Dubbed as "Turkey's Maldives" due to its white beach and clear waters, the lake attracted large crowds during the Eid al-Adha holiday.