It’s almost a province! Alanya is very close but...

Although the expectation for Alanya to become a province increases every year, no progress has been made yet. Alanya, often discussed among districts that could become provinces, remains a topic of curiosity about when it will achieve this dream. Expectations are rising that there may be a major administrative restructuring in Turkey. The map of Turkey, which has long been fixed at 81 provinces, is again sparking debates about increasing the number to 100. Especially to ease the burden on metropolitan municipalities and accelerate regional development, some districts are considered for elevation to provincial status.

Districts Are Being Evaluated

According to information shared by eskisehir.net, five new districts have been added to the list of closest candidates for becoming provinces. With these additions, the total number of districts meeting the criteria for becoming provinces has reached 24. The most prominent candidates include Alanya (Antalya), Bandırma (Balıkesir), Edremit (Balıkesir), Fethiye (Muğla), and Nazilli (Aydın). These districts stand out due to their large populations, strong economies, developed transportation networks, and distances from provincial centers.

Current Populations of New Candidate Districts:

Alanya (Antalya): 359,891

Bandırma (Balıkesir): 166,836

Edremit (Balıkesir): 171,700

Fethiye (Muğla): 177,569

Nazilli (Aydın): 162,000

Making these districts provinces aims not only to reduce administrative burdens but also to activate local development dynamics.

Other Candidate Districts:

Yüksekova (Hakkari), Midyat (Mardin), Elbistan (Kahramanmaraş), Polatlı (Ankara), Kahta (Adıyaman), Kozan (Adana), Ünye (Ordu), Ergani (Diyarbakır), Ereğli (Konya), Lüleburgaz (Kırklareli), Cizre (Şırnak), Erciş (Van), Zonguldak Ereğli (Zonguldak), İskenderun (Hatay), Manavgat (Antalya), Siverek (Şanlıurfa), Çorlu (Tekirdağ), İnegöl (Bursa), Tarsus (Mersin).

Increasing the number of provinces in Turkey is not only about population density and economic sufficiency but also involves political and administrative decisions. It is expected that such administrative reforms will be brought to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) in new local government terms.

MHP’s Call Not Forgotten

One of the strong advocates for increasing the number of provinces to 100 is the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahçeli, who recently made a request on this matter. According to indyturk.com, Bahçeli reiterated his call saying, "In the new century, it is possible to build and revive a Turkey strengthened by an administrative structure consisting of 100 provinces and 1000 districts."