Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated on Tuesday that trade unions will not be allowed to celebrate May Day in the central İstanbul square of Taksim. The PM said this is because of the renovation work going on in the area and added he expects understanding from labor unions.

“All measures will be taken there [in Taksim] tomorrow by the Interior Ministry and we will not allow such a celebration there. … I am expecting understanding from labor unions, not persistence, on behalf of my nation,” Erdoğan said at the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) parliamentary group meeting.

In 2009, the government declared May Day an official holiday and opened Taksim Square for celebrations.