New move from CHP against SGK debts: Proposal for Özel to meet with Erdoğan

The Republican People's Party (CHP) has taken action to implement new measures against the government's decision to "collect at the source" the debts that municipalities owe to the Social Security Institution (SGK). At a meeting chaired by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, a decision was made to prepare a legislative proposal aimed at restructuring municipal debts and implementing revenue-generating measures.

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, it was also planned for CHP's shadow ministers to meet with the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum and the Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek.

MUNICIPALITIES MAY BECOME UNABLE TO PAY SALARIES

At the meeting, some mayors drew attention to the upcoming collective bargaining process and warned that the current situation could leave municipalities unable to pay personnel salaries, suggesting that Özel should meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The "Social Democratic Municipalities Coordination Council" meeting held at the CHP Headquarters was attended by Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in his capacity as President of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye, and Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş in his capacity as President of the Union of Historical Towns.

Providing information about the purpose of the meeting, Özgür Özel accused the government of trying to "squeeze" CHP-run municipalities by cutting off their resources. Özel stated that the coordination council they formed was established both to keep municipalities ready for routine audits and to provide legal and technical support against "certain malicious and aggressive attitudes."

MAIN AGENDA: SGK DEBTS

The meeting addressed the series of notifications sent to municipalities following the decision to collect SGK debts. The view was shared that the government's decision aims to make CHP-run municipalities economically "inoperable," and steps to overcome the problem were discussed.

Mayors pointed out that if SGK debts are not restructured and new resources are not provided to municipalities, many will become unable to pay salaries. It was stated that AKP-run municipalities are able to offset their SGK debts against real estate, but that this opportunity is not granted to opposition municipalities.

DEBT INTEREST MUST BE WAIVED

It was decided at the meeting that a legislative proposal would be submitted when Parliament reconvenes to restructure the municipalities' SGK debts. In this context, it was proposed to make a regulation similar to the restructuring law No. 7326 enacted in 2021, which waived debt interest and spread the principal debt over 120 months. Additionally, offsetting municipalities' VAT receivables against SGK debts was also brought to the agenda.

'ÖZEL SHOULD MEET WITH ERDOĞAN' PROPOSAL

It was decided that CHP shadow ministers would meet with the relevant ministers regarding the restructuring of municipal debts and the implementation of revenue-generating measures. It was planned that after the CHP's Party Program Convention to be held on September 4-9, Gökan Zeybek, the Deputy Chairman responsible for local governments, would request an appointment from the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, and shadow minister responsible for the economy Yalçın Karatepe would request an appointment from the Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek to convey their party's proposals.

It was decided that the problems of CHP-run municipalities should be voiced on every platform and that Özel should handle the communication of this issue. However, it was noted that the proposal by some mayors for Özel to meet with President Erdoğan on this matter was not adopted as a concrete decision.

COORDINATION FOR STRAY ANIMALS

The meeting also addressed the implementation of the law on stray animals that passed through Parliament in July. The purpose of the meeting was stated as ensuring that the problems of municipalities are solved through coordination. It was decided that the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality would make a presentation within 10 days to manage the steps to be taken regarding stray animals from a single source, and that other municipalities would implement their local policies in line with these proposals.