CHP Chairman Özgür Özel's reaction to the 'Defense Industry Fund' continues

AKP group recently submitted the 'Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Certain Regulations Regarding the Defense Industry and Other Laws,' consisting of 12 articles, to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

The submitted proposal included controversial articles such as collecting 750 TL per year from individuals with credit card limits over 100,000 TL, collecting 750 TL from both buyers and sellers in real estate transactions, and collecting 375 TL for other transactions made at the land registry.

Since its submission, the proposal has drawn significant backlash from opposition parties and citizens. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel answered journalists' questions in Ankara today. Touching on this issue again, Özel called on the government, saying, 'Get off the nation's back.'

THEY SHOULD PREPARE A PROPER, PRO-PEOPLE BUDGET

Özel continued his speech: "The defense industry budget will be discussed in the budget negotiations; our proposal there is this: whatever your deficit is, whatever you are short of—they say 70 billion. It was going to collect over a hundred; put the 70 billion into the budget and take the money. According to what you say, when there are such great dangers, if the defense industry fund needs 250 billion instead of 180 billion, is there anyone stopping you? I will not vote for this government's budget, but for their sake, I will even vote for that line item, as long as they get off the nation's back," he said.

Stating that they should take more from the rich and leave the poor alone, Özel continued his words: "They should prepare a proper, pro-people budget. We would never oppose the defense industry or its support, but they should get off the backs of the impoverished citizens."