Fatih Erbakan calls on AKP for minimum wage hike and early elections

Yeniden Refah Party Chairman Fatih Erbakan reiterated his statements regarding the need for a 35,000 TL minimum wage during his speech at his party's Osmaniye Provincial Congress. 

Erbakan said, "Why did we say 35,000 lira? Because we want a family to reach the poverty line when two minimum wages enter the household." Stating that the poverty line in Turkey has risen to 70,000 TL today, Erbakan said that the minimum wage should be 35,000 TL and that the lowest pension should also be brought to this level.

MİLLİ GÖRÜŞ WARNING 

Erbakan argued that the state should take more responsibility to assist employers with salary payments. Stating, "The state should help the employer by making some concessions on the money it pays for interest and waste," Erbakan noted that the state must contribute to ensure a 35,000 TL minimum wage. Expressing his belief that the Yeniden Refah Party will reach this goal, he added, "This is an understanding held by the Milli Görüş."

ECONOMIC SITUATION IS CONCERNING  

Erbakan explained the poor trajectory of the Turkish economy with examples. Stating that the number of companies that closed in the first 11 months of 2024 reached 23,861 with a 19.7% increase, Erbakan emphasized that approximately 2,200 companies close every month. He also pointed out that the number of newly established companies decreased by 11.4% and that concordat applications have reached record levels.

ANOTHER CALL FOR EARLY ELECTIONS 

Calling on President Erdoğan for early elections, Erbakan said, "The nation has no patience left; bring the ballot box this autumn or in the spring of 2026." Describing the economic situation as "dire," Erbakan stated that the nation should no longer be stalled.