Support for Mehmet Şimşek in AKP, but... 'We are giving you 6 months'
The debate over the salary increases for civil servants and retirees is growing within AKP circles. While party members criticize that they "managed the process poorly," they also express concerns that they are losing the support of retirees. Despite the efforts of Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, complaints that "they wouldn't leave the man alone" are rising within the party.
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Journalist Nuray Babacan reported on the deep economic debates within the AKP in her article titled "The fear of 'losing the retirees'." Stating that while silence seems to prevail in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) outside of the solution process commission, every step taken and decision made by the government is causing major controversy behind the scenes, Babacan wrote that the salary increases for 6.5 million civil servants and retirees, in particular, have caused serious discomfort within the party.
Noting that the phrase "we managed the process poorly" is echoing in party corridors, Babacan recorded that the debates are continuing to grow.
"A SECTOR-BASED APPROACH IS NEEDED"
It is stated that one of the most criticized points within the AKP is the way the salary increase for public employees was handled. Those who react to the issue being taken directly to the arbitration board without seeking consensus argue that a sector-based approach should have been adopted in this regulation covering 6.5 million people.
Some party members express that solutions should be sought through different sub-headings.
CONCERN THAT "WE ARE LOSING RETIREES"
Concerns are even greater regarding retirees. According to Babacan, party members believe that a wholesale perspective does not satisfy anyone. It is stated that this approach damages social peace and that concerns are being voiced that retirees are being lost.
Another point of contention is salary inequality. According to the view frequently expressed by AKP members, the salaries of those who worked with different premium days were brought closer together under the pretext of "correcting low retirement pensions." Someone with 4,000 work days and someone with 2,000 work days have ended up receiving almost the same salary. This situation is interpreted as both an injustice and unfair.
Criticisms such as "A special study needs to be done for this problem. The process is being managed poorly" are rising within the party.
SUPPORT FOR ŞİMŞEK, BUT...
Touching upon Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek in her article, Babacan conveyed that while Şimşek is considered "well-intentioned and sincere" within the party, it is also being discussed that he has difficulty reaching certain sectors in terms of establishing economic balances.
"THEY WOULDN'T LEAVE THE MAN ALONE"
A striking assessment made to Babacan by a figure within the AKP took the debate to a different dimension:
"They didn't leave the man alone for three months. Constant interference, constant demands. They kept trying to puncture the economic program. Expectations were not met in 1.5 years. They should have told him, 'We are giving you 6 months, there will be no interference, do what you know. Let's talk after that.' They didn't leave the man alone..."