Busy week ahead in the Turkish Parliament: What topics will be discussed?

The TBMM General Assembly will address a legislative proposal concerning tax and social security, which includes raising the minimum pension to 12,500 Turkish Liras, as well as the 9th Judicial Package.

The TBMM General Assembly will begin its weekly work on Tuesday, July 23. The General Assembly will first discuss the Draft Law on Amendments to Tax Laws and Certain Other Laws, which contains regulations regarding tax and social security.

According to this proposal, the minimum pension will be increased to 12,500 Turkish Liras. The principal amount of tax will be removed from the scope of settlement; taxpayers' monthly and annual revenue amounts will be determined by taking the average of daily revenue amounts.

Precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium will be valued at the stock exchange market price.

In cases where collections made via credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, QR codes, electronic wallets, and similar payment instruments are processed through payment systems or devices not registered under the taxpayer's own name, a penalty three times the special irregularity fine determined for each transaction will be applied to both the taxpayers making the collection and those who allow the use of these systems or devices registered in their name.

VAT exemptions will be provided for aid to be delivered by foreign state institutions and organizations due to the earthquake.

The departure fee collected from citizens traveling abroad will be increased to 500 Turkish Liras.

Public officials who are members of a public servants' union that has organized at least 1 percent of the total number of public officials eligible for union membership in the service branch where the union is established, and whose union dues are deducted from their monthly salary or wages, will be paid a collective bargaining bonus in an amount calculated by multiplying the monthly coefficient of civil servants by the figure 707. Public officials who receive the collective bargaining bonus will not be provided with additional collective bargaining support.

9TH JUDICIAL PACKAGE COMES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Furthermore, the General Assembly will address the Draft Law on Amendments to Certain Laws, known in the public eye as the "9th Judicial Package."

According to this proposal, the number of questions in the Entrance Exam for Legal Professions and the Administrative Judiciary Preliminary Exam will be increased from 100 to 120.

Changes will be made to the number of candidates to be called for the Judge and Prosecutor Assistantship Interview; candidates exceeding the announced number of positions by one-fold will be called for the interview.

The sales procedure for vehicles held in impound lots that have been banned from traffic due to being found or in accordance with legal provisions, and which have not been claimed or sought by their owners within 6 months, will be re-determined.

A woman will take her husband's surname upon marriage. A woman will be able to use her previous surname before her husband's surname by making a written application to the marriage officer or later to the population registry office. If a woman's surname consists of her own surname and her previous husband's surname, she will be able to use only one of these surnames before the surname of the husband she is marrying.

The crime of insult via audio, written, or visual communication will be removed from the scope of conciliation and included in the scope of advance payment.

Regarding the crime of insult, which is subject to complaint for investigation and prosecution, the complaint period shall not exceed two years from the date the act occurred, regardless of the circumstances.

Those who have completed mediation training and have 20 years of seniority in their profession will be able to register in the mediation registry without taking a written exam. A requirement to be a law graduate will be introduced to become a conciliator.

Following the completion of discussions on the tax and social security legislative proposal and the 9th Judicial Package in the General Assembly, it is expected that discussions on the Teaching Profession Law Proposal, which were previously postponed, will continue.

COMMISSION PROCESS FOR THE PROPOSAL REGARDING STRAY ANIMALS WILL CONTINUE

The Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs will continue its discussions on the Draft Law on Amendments to the Animal Protection Law, which contains regulations regarding stray animals.

According to the proposal, "euthanasia" will be performed by local governments on animals that are aggressive, have contagious or incurable diseases, or are prohibited from being owned.

Rehabilitated animals will be kept in shelters until they are adopted and will be registered in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's data system.

Incentives or financial support in amounts deemed appropriate by the Ministry will be provided to other relevant institutions and organizations, primarily local governments.

Municipal officials who fail to fulfill their obligations will be sentenced to imprisonment from 6 months to 2 years, and the administrative fine for those who abandon their owned animals will be increased from 2,000 Turkish Liras to 60,000 Turkish Liras.

It will be mandatory for cat and dog owners to register their animals using the digital identification method by December 31, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION

Discussions will begin in the Committee on Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources, Information and Technology on the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on the Protection of Consumers and Certain Other Laws.

According to this proposal, the formal requirements for contracts between lenders and consumers will be enabled to be established through methods that include the verification of consumer identity via an information or electronic communication device.

Issues regarding the direct sales system will be regulated, and the rights and obligations of the parties will be made clear. The institution of settlement will also be allowed to be applied for provisions regarding commercial advertising and unfair commercial practices.

Supportive measures will be taken to increase the competitiveness of domestic marketplaces against foreign-origin marketplaces, to increase employment levels, and to accelerate export growth to ensure more businesses turn toward exports.

AGENDA OF SPECIALIZED COMMITTEES

Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya will inform the Human Rights Investigation Committee on "law enforcement practices and the protection of human rights."

The Subcommittee on Disseminating and Increasing the Level of Financial Literacy in Turkey, established within the Petition Committee, will hold its first meeting. A chair will be elected, and a work schedule will be determined for the committee.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, group meetings of the political parties with groups in the Parliament will be held.