Budget marathon begins in the Turkish Parliament

The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) is preparing for a week with a busy agenda. The 2025 Central Government Budget Law Proposal will be submitted to the Speaker of the Parliament on Friday, October 17. Following its submission, the proposal is expected to be referred to the Planning and Budget Committee.

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz is expected to make a presentation regarding the budget to the Planning and Budget Committee on October 22. Following this presentation, a one-week break will be given to allow committee members to conduct their evaluations.

Discussions on the budget as a whole will take place in the Planning and Budget Committee on October 30. The following day, the budgets of ministries and public institutions will begin to be addressed. After approximately one month of deliberations in the committee, the budget proposal will be referred to the TBMM General Assembly.

NEW TRAFFIC LAW ON THE AGENDA

The Highway Traffic Law Proposal, which could not be started for discussion last week, is planned to be brought to the agenda of the TBMM General Assembly this week.

The 36-article regulation foresees high fines for violations such as running red lights, lane violations, driving under the influence or without a license, using a mobile phone in traffic, and failing to yield to ambulances. Accordingly, a fine of 40 thousand liras will be imposed on those driving without a license, and 140 thousand liras on those using fake license plates.

COMMITTEE AGENDAS

An announcement is expected from the Speaker of the Parliament regarding the agenda for the meeting of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, which was established within the scope of the opening process, this week.

On Wednesday, October 15, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) will make a presentation titled "Activities for the Prevention of Discrimination Against Higher Education Students" at the Sub-Commission for the Prevention of Discrimination of the Human Rights Investigation Commission.

On the same day, a presentation on Turkey-EU relations will be made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the EU Harmonization Commission.

Two separate proposals submitted to the TBMM by the AKP last Friday will also be addressed in the committee. The first of these will be the "Draft Law on Amendments to the National Parks Law and Certain Laws and Decree-Law No. 375," and the other will be the "Draft Law on Amendments to the Foundations Law and Certain Laws."

The weekly group meetings of the parties will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday as usual.