CHP's Dinçer reveals striking figures regarding the Diyanet budget: It exceeds the total of three ministries

Dinçer stated that the 174.4 billion lira resource allocated to the Presidency of Religious Affairs in the 2026 budget proposal exceeds the total of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, adding, "The Diyanet's personnel expenses, which reach 149 billion liras, show that priority is given to staffing rather than service."

While the Diyanet's budget was increased by 34 percent, the budget of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which is responsible for student housing, was increased by 29 percent. This clearly shows how Turkey's priorities have been turned upside down," she said.

In her statement, Semra Dinçer criticized the 2026 budget proposal to be presented at the Planning and Budget Committee on Thursday. Stating that 174.4 billion liras have been allocated to the Presidency of Religious Affairs in the 2026 budget proposal, Dinçer assessed, "Resource allocation has been directed toward political priorities rather than social and ecological needs. Strategic areas, from foreign policy to energy supply security, and from culture and arts to the protection of natural assets, cannot be relegated to the background. Choices determine the country's future. Budgetary justice is achieved through merit and reason."

Semra Dinçer noted the following:

"The Diyanet's budget of 174 billion 389 million liras alone exceeds the total of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (46 billion 805 million liras), Energy and Natural Resources (36 billion 97 million liras), and Culture and Tourism (69 billion 699 million liras). The Diyanet's personnel expenses, which reach 149 billion liras, show that priority is given to staffing rather than service. Again, while the Diyanet's budget was increased by 34 percent, the budget of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which is responsible for student housing, was increased by 29 percent. This clearly shows how Turkey's priorities have been turned upside down."

"THE DIYANET'S BUDGET IS THREE TIMES THE ALLOCATION FOR FOREST FIRES"

Pointing out that 59 billion 930 million liras have been allocated to the General Directorate of Forestry (OGM), Dinçer said, "The Diyanet's budget is nearly three times that of the OGM. Yet, on one hand, there is a climate crisis, and on the other, a growing risk of fire every year. In the summer of 2025 alone, 80,000 hectares of land were reduced to ashes in a total of 6,800 fires, including 2,800 forest fires and 4,000 rural area fires. This picture is not a matter of budget, but a matter of choice, and the choice was not made in favor of forests, the environment, and nature—that is, in favor of Turkey."

Stating that the public budget should be shaped according to social needs, Dinçer said, "We will present proposals during the budget negotiations to rebalance these items, and we will demand an increase in appropriations for the protection of forests, strengthening firefighting capacity, and bolstering youth and energy policies."

News Source: 12punto