Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the country’s largest cities—Ankara, Bursa, and Istanbul—are facing water shortages and attributed the responsibility to opposition-run municipalities.

Following recent elections, the mayoralties of these cities came under opposition control. According to Erdogan, the inaction of local authorities has worsened the situation amid the ongoing drought.

“Drought is a natural phenomenon, but failure to take measures to prevent it is a governance failure. A municipality is not about billboards or posing on social media,” he told journalists on a plane returning from a tour of Gulf countries.

Erdogan noted that Istanbul had faced similar problems when he himself ran for mayor and emphasized that the authorities are now taking measures in coordination with the State Water Management Agency.

“We are developing projects, finding solutions, and constantly taking appropriate steps. As you mentioned, Ankara, Bursa, and Istanbul are indeed experiencing water shortages at the moment. But, God willing, we will not leave our people without water,” the Turkish leader stressed.