Erdoğan's 2023 promise forgotten: AKP to seek votes from tradespeople with the same tactic

The “early retirement for tradespeople” promise, announced by AKP Chairman and President Tayyip Erdoğan just before the 2023 elections, has been brought back to the agenda. In his statement at the time, Erdoğan had said that they would reduce the number of premium days for tradespeople from 9,000 to 7,200, thereby paving the way for early retirement. According to the report by Erdoğan Süzer from Sözcü, the AKP, which gained the support of many tradespeople thanks to this promise, has still not fulfilled its word despite 2.5 years having passed.

ASKED TO MINISTER IŞIKHAN

When opposition deputies in the TBMM Planning and Budget Committee asked Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan, “Why haven't you fulfilled the promise you made?”, the government's plan to reuse the same promise in the upcoming elections was revealed.

“ONCE THE BUDGET RECOVERS” EXPLANATION

Minister Işıkhan responded to the deputies' question with these words:

“This was a promise we had previously expressed under the leadership of our President. However, I think we have time until 2026, 2027, and 2028. Provided that the budget recovers.”

These statements indicated that the early retirement good news has been postponed to future years depending on budget possibilities and that the promise given to tradespeople will be brought back to the agenda during election periods.

“ARE YOU WAITING FOR A NEW ELECTION?”

Minister Işıkhan's response received a harsh reaction from the opposition benches. CHP Deputy Cavit Arı expressed his criticism by saying, “So do you mean until a new election week? If such a promise was made one week before the election, and especially if the person who made the promise is the President, this promise should be kept immediately. Which election are you waiting for? This means that tradespeople expecting 7,200 are waiting in vain until the next election.”

Minister Işıkhan responded with the words, “We still have time, we will fulfill this promise.”

OPPOSITION'S MOTION REJECTED

Following the discussions, İYİ Party Deputy Erhan Usta submitted a motion including the reduction of the number of premium days for tradespeople from 9,000 to 7,200 and the coverage of the financial burden arising from this regulation by the Treasury. In his speech, Usta said, “We need to see that tradespeople are very aggrieved and troubled, and that they have difficulty paying these premiums. There is no need to wait for another new election. This needs to be done as soon as possible.”

However, the motion was rejected by the votes of AKP and MHP deputies.