Baku, Azerbaijan, April 30
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Istanbul Mayor Office does not consider it acceptable to hold May Day rallies in Taksim Square, according to the Turkish TRT Haber TV channel.
The Mayor Office also said that there is information about possible provocations during May Day marches.
May Day is celebrated annually as International Workers' Day in Turkey.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier that Taksim Square is not suitable for holding the May Day march. "One should forget about holding marches on Taksim Square," the prime minister said.
Erdogan went on to add that Turkey's government is not interested in aggravating the situation in the country during the May Day march.
Futhermore, Turkish Interior Minister Efkan Ala said earlier that the May Day march will not take place on Taksim Square in Istanbul, as many things, including public safety should be taken into account during public events.
Turkey's leading oppositional Republican People's Party (CHP) earlier said the party's supporters will gather on May Day on Taksim Square in Istanbul, despite prohibitions.
Translated by S.I.
Edited by S.I.