'Our retirees, minimum wage earners, and workers need an interim raise, not an interim forecast'

Saadet Party Chairman Mahmut Arıkan stated, 'Our retirees, minimum wage earners, and workers need an interim raise, not an interim forecast. The Central Bank raising its 2026 inflation expectation from 16 percent to 26 percent has once again proven that none of this government's forecasts have held true, and they will not hold true in the future either.'

Saadet Party Chairman Mahmut Arıkan, in a statement made via social media, harshly criticized the Central Bank's revision of its inflation forecast and the government's approach to economic policy. Emphasizing the urgency of an interim raise, particularly for retirees, minimum wage earners, and employees, Arıkan stated that the government ignores economic indicators and realities.

In his assessment, Arıkan used the following expressions:

''HOW MUCH LONGER WILL YOU HIDE THE CHASM BETWEEN TÜİK FIGURES AND THE REALITY OF LIFE''

'Our retirees, minimum wage earners, and workers need an interim raise, not an interim forecast. The Central Bank raising its 2026 inflation expectation from 16 percent to 26 percent has once again proven that none of this government's forecasts have held true, and they will not hold true in the future either. The government, which blamed the rise in rent prices on landlords, the rise in onion prices on grocers, the rise in potato prices on hoarders, and food inflation on the snow that fell in winter, has finally blamed the current account deficit that will occur in May on the Eid al-Adha. I ask, how much more will you raise inflation expectations? How much longer will you hide the chasm between TÜİK figures and the reality of life? How much longer will you let the sweat, labor, and hope of millions be crushed by inflation? Stop producing excuses and telling people what they want to hear, because the pulse of the citizens has now reached a standstill.'

Arıkan also stated that the government constantly holds different segments and external factors responsible for economic problems, noting that the primary responsibility lies with the economic policies implemented by the government. Emphasizing that millions of citizens are struggling to make a living in the face of inflation, Mahmut Arıkan reiterated that an interim raise is inevitable and should not be delayed.

In his statement, Arıkan also drew attention to the contradictions between the figures announced by TÜİK and the economic difficulties experienced by the public, claiming that official data does not align with social realities. Stating that the government should focus on solutions and meet the demands of citizens, Arıkan reiterated his call for support for segments struggling economically.