Busy week ahead at the Turkish Parliament: AKP's new regulations and the budget marathon begin

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey is convening with a busy agenda for the new week. Discussions regarding the Highway Traffic Law will continue in the General Assembly. Meanwhile, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz will present the 2026 budget to members of parliament at the Assembly's Planning and Budget Committee.

MOTIONS ON THE AGENDA

The General Assembly, which will begin its work on Tuesday, October 21, will address presidential motions to extend the deployment of Turkish troops in Lebanon for 2 years, and the motion to send troops to Iraq and Syria for another 3 years.

Following this, the General Assembly will elect 5 members to the Court of Accounts from among 10 candidates determined by the TBMM Planning and Budget Committee.

FOUNDATIONS AND TOURISM BILL TO BE DISCUSSED

The General Assembly will begin discussions on the Draft Law on Amendments to the Foundations Law and Certain Other Laws, which includes regulations concerning tourism and foundations.

With the proposal bearing the signatures of AKP deputies, travel agencies in provinces affected by the February 6, 2023 earthquakes will be exempt from the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies annual dues this year. Outstanding dues from previous periods will also be considered waived.

Operators will be required to keep identity information and entry-exit records of those staying in marinas, ports, coastal facilities, and ships or maritime tourism vehicles.

An administrative fine of 25 thousand liras will be imposed for each advertisement placed for promotional and sales purposes in electronic media by accommodation businesses that do not have a certificate.

GALLIPOLI HISTORICAL SITE TO BE EXPANDED

The area in Çanakkale containing shipwrecks from naval battles will be included within the borders of the Gallipoli Historical Site of the Çanakkale Wars.

The borders of the Historical Site may be expanded by presidential decree, taking into account archaeological, cultural, and geographical values.

Additionally, the maximum rental period for real estate belonging to the General Directorate of Foundations and managed foundations will be increased from 3 years to 5 years.

BUDGET MARATHON BEGINS

The Planning and Budget Committee will discuss the proposal envisaging amendments to Tax Laws, certain other laws, and Decree-Law No. 631 on Tuesday, October 21.

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz will make a presentation on the 2026 Central Government Budget Law Draft and the 2024 Central Government Final Account Law Draft on Thursday, October 23.

The Security and Intelligence Commission will evaluate the 2024 Report on State Intelligence Services and Security and Intelligence Activities.

The Sub-Commission for the Investigation of Convict and Detainee Rights, affiliated with the Human Rights Investigation Commission, will address the Sincan Penal Institutions Report and prepare a new inspection plan.

The Joint Commission, consisting of members of the Constitutional and Justice Commissions, will determine 3 times the number of candidates for the 1 HSK member to be elected by the General Assembly.

POLITICAL PARTY GROUPS TO MEET

Political parties with groups in the Parliament will hold their weekly group meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday.