The cost of palaces to the nation is 2 billion dollars

CHP Tekirdağ Deputy Faik Öztrak drew attention to palace expenditures. Emphasizing that 1.2 billion dollars have been spent on the Presidency's investment expenditures alone in the last 10 years, Öztrak stated that when the previous costs of the Palace in Beştepe are added, the bill reaches 2 billion dollars.

Reminding that a project like the Eurasia Tunnel could be built with this money, with 400 million dollars left over; or that hundreds of schools and dormitories could be built across the country; or that a hospital the size of Bilkent City Hospital could be established, Öztrak commented, “Minister Şimşek should first address the governors regarding austerity; he should speak to the monument of arrogance and its entourage, who collect palaces and planes, travel with endless motorcades, and are the embodiment of waste in the country. Otherwise, our nation looks at both words and actions. They say, ‘They preach to us, but they practice the opposite.’”

"APPROACHED 2 BILLION DOLLARS"

In his statement, Öztrak expressed that according to the investment programs of the last 10 years, the total "investment" expenditures of the Presidency reached 1 billion 228 million dollars in the 2014-2023 period, and when the 764 million dollar expenditure made while the Palace in Beştepe was under the Prime Ministry in the 2012-2015 period is added, the total cost approaches 2 billion dollars.

Öztrak stated that 1 billion 652 million dollars of the Presidency's investment expenditures, which reached 2 billion dollars, were spent on the palaces in Istanbul and Ankara Beştepe, as well as the summer palace built in Okluk and the winter palace built in Ahlat. Öztrak noted that the remaining 339 million dollars in expenses were spent on various items ranging from construction-repair costs to the purchase of printed publications, and from building furnishings to vehicle purchases.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE WITH THIS MONEY...

Öztrak summarized what else could have been done instead of the 2 billion dollars in expenditures, most of which consist of palace construction costs:

“With this money, another Eurasia Tunnel could have been built, and 400 million dollars would have been left over. Or, 250 high schools with 32 classrooms could have been built across our country, and on top of that, 230 dormitories for 200 people each could have been built for students. Or, a hospital the size of Bilkent City Hospital, fully equipped with the most advanced technology devices and including everything from landscaping, could have been built.”

Recalling the news that Treasury and Finance Minister Şimşek told governors, “The money we spend is not our father's money, it is the nation's money,” Öztrak emphasized that Minister Şimşek should look at these expenditures before talking about a modest public understanding far from ostentation or using the back of paper. Öztrak commented, “Mehmet Şimşek should first speak to the monument of arrogance and its entourage, who say ‘There is no austerity in reputation,’ collect palaces and planes, and travel with endless motorcades, and are the embodiment of waste in the country.”

"THEY PREACH TO US, BUT THEY PRACTICE THE OPPOSITE"

Noting that while waste in administration continues at full speed, the Ministers' promises of austerity will have no meaning, Öztrak said, “Otherwise, our nation looks at both words and actions. They say, ‘They preach to us, but they practice the opposite.’ They do not believe the words of the Palace or the showcase economic management. Investors never believe what the nation does not believe. Clean money does not come; there is neither bread nor work.”

News Source: 12punto