Severe criticism of economic policies from İYİ Party's Dalgın
İYİ Party Deputy Chairman Burak Dalgın stated that the Medium-Term Program targets have not been met and that Turkey has been turned into a cafe latte economy.
During a press conference held at the headquarters, İYİ Party Deputy Chairman Burak Dalgın harshly criticized the government's economic policies, stating that the Medium-Term Program targets have failed and the country has been reduced to a cafe latte economy.
Medium-Term Program and Inflation Targets
Criticizing the government's economic policy and the Medium-Term Program, Burak Dalgın expressed that the program targets are constantly postponed and inflation forecasts are completely off the mark.
Dalgın recalled that the inflation target for 2026, which was announced as 8.5 percent in 2023, was later raised to 9.7 percent and 16 percent, respectively.
Quarter-Century Inflation Comparison
Stating that the inflation rate was at 31.8 percent in 2002 when the AK Party came to power, the İYİ Party politician noted that inflation is currently around 31.5 percent today.
Emphasizing that despite the past quarter-century, there has been no meaningful change in the inflation rate, Dalgın argued that this picture clearly demonstrates the failure in economic management.
Minister Şimşek's Rationales and Employment
Conveying that Minister Mehmet Şimşek cited FX-protected deposits (KKM), early retirement (EYT), earthquakes, drought, and wars as justifications for the failures experienced, Dalgın reacted by saying that Şimşek was practically pressing every button.
Stating that Turkey's top 1,000 companies created zero employment over the past 4 years, Dalgın noted that due to the implemented policies, employment remained limited only to the level of cafes and restaurants.
National Income Distribution and Privatizations
Touching upon the per capita national income distribution, Dalgın stated that 7 out of 10 citizens remain below the national income average, and a similar picture is experienced in 68 out of 81 provinces.
On the other hand, criticizing the privatization of bridges and highways, the İYİ Party Deputy Chairman described this step as taking the easy way out and selling future receivables in advance.
Urgent Solution Proposals and 48-Hour Plan
Listing the measures that need to be implemented within 48 hours to remedy the negative picture in the economy, Burak Dalgın demanded that income tax brackets be updated urgently.
The package also requested a 10 percent compensation raise for retirees, tax and social security institution (SGK) restructuring for tradesmen, and the payment of VAT receivables of SMEs and industrialists.