A draft law presented by the Justice and Development Party which has similarities with the Kurdish “Democratic Autonomy Project” was vetoed by former president Ahmet Necdet Sezer in 2004.

The law which was passed by the Turkish Parliament was proposing to transfer some of the central governments authority on health, culture, sport, environment, agriculture, industry and trade to the municipalities and city councils. But former president Sezer vetoed the law saying that the law is not compatible with the unity of state.

The law protected central government’s authority on justice, defense, interior affairs, education and labor. It banned creation of local offices by other ministries saying that the authority will be in the hands of municipalities and city councils.

According to the law the needs of the “city folk” will be addressed by city councils and the cities will have autonomy on administrative and financial aspects.

AKP’s law also gives the local authority the power cooperate with other municipalities in abroad without the central governments approval.

The law also limited powers of governors which are appointed by the central government.

The “Democratic Autonomy Project” issued by the Democratic Society Congress created controversy in Turkey and AKP officials criticized the project harshly. But the same AKP’s efforts on autonomy was blocked by Kemalists and they were also blamed for “harming the unity of state”.