Austerity lessons from Minister Şimşek! 'I am also practicing austerity!'

Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek answered questions from AKP members of parliament regarding the fight against the informal economy and tax issues. Stating that no one wants to pay taxes, Minister Şimşek also made a striking assessment regarding the austerity measures they have implemented.

"I AM ALSO PRACTICING AUSTERITY"

"It wouldn't be right for me not to practice austerity while telling others to do so. I am also practicing austerity," said Minister Şimşek, adding, "We have saved a total of 814 billion TL. For example, the old building of our Treasury Ministry was not earthquake-resistant. A demolition order was issued. My colleagues said, 'Sir, there are 1,950 people here, there is no space, let's rent a new place.' I said, 'Absolutely not, you will squeeze in, you will work like that.' We closed two general directorates and placed these people there. To set an example for all other ministries, we did not rent a new place."

"THEY CANNOT PROVE THEY EARNED THE MONEY"

Minister Şimşek also revealed a striking picture while explaining the issue of tax evasion. Şimşek said, "One of our citizens bought 32 apartments in one of the major cities, and there is no tax record for them in our system. They have never filed a tax return in their life. There are thousands of our citizens who bought luxury vehicles for 65 million liras within the year. We call them in and say, 'Explain this,' but they have no explanation. We say, 'Prove that you earned this money,' and they cannot prove it."