Government suspends austerity: 222 percent for promotion, 153 percent for travel, 25 percent plan for minimum wage!

While 75 million 173 thousand TL was allocated for the travel expenses of the TBMM, which is exempt from the austerity circular, in 2024, this amount will increase by 153 percent in 2025 to reach 190 million 83 thousand TL.

The Parliament's representation and promotion expenses, which were 71 million 850 thousand TL in 2004, will also rise to 231 million 512 thousand TL in 2025, an increase of 222 percent. An appropriation of 269 million 323 thousand TL is planned for 2026, and 310 million 903 thousand TL for 2027.

According to the report by Deniz Ayhan from Sözcü, there is also a significant increase in service procurement expenses, which cover the Parliament's cleaning, equipment purchase, and vehicle rental costs.

While 93 million 454 thousand TL was spent under service procurement in 2023, the 2024 appropriation reached 321 million 43 thousand TL. The 2025 service procurement budget will increase by 76 percent compared to 2024.

While the Public Austerity Circular covers public institutions as well as provincial administrations, municipalities, and their affiliated organizations, the Presidency of Administrative Affairs and the General Secretariat of the TBMM Presidency were excluded from the austerity measures.

As the Parliament's 2025 expenses skyrocket, the annual inflation rate of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) for September 2024 was 49.38 percent.

While the Parliament is kept exempt from austerity, citizens are being advised to practice it.

Citizens, whose minimum wage eroded in 2024, are expecting a significant raise in 2025.

Statements from the IMF and Central Bank (TCMB) Governor Karahan have led to despair among citizens.

The IMF's claim that a minimum wage increase would trigger inflation was not found consistent by experts.

Furthermore, the statements made by Central Bank Governor Karahan in the US also drew backlash.

Karahan stated that a 25 percent raise to the minimum wage would align with inflation targets.

If a 25 percent raise is applied to the minimum wage, the 2025 minimum wage is expected to be 21 thousand 252 TL.

Citizens and experts, however, are expecting an increase of "at least" 50 percent.