Treasury and Finance Minister Şimşek issues statement on CHP delegation

Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek held a meeting yesterday with a delegation led by CHP's Yalçın Karatepe.

Following the meeting, which lasted over four hours, Karatepe stated that they had conveyed his party's demands and views to Minister Şimşek under four main headings.

CHP's Yalçın Karatepe noted that during their meeting with Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, they presented four main demands: an interim raise for the minimum wage, a significant increase in pension payments, an increase in agricultural subsidies, and the elimination of tax injustice. He commented, "At the end of the meeting, we unfortunately saw that there is no will to change the mindset that imposes a bitter pill on the citizens."

While the repercussions of this meeting continue, AK Party Artvin Deputy Faruk Çelik made a noteworthy post on his social media account.

Stating, "It is understood from the CHP delegation's statements that they went to the meeting with a list of instructions. It is clear that there is a confusion of roles here," Faruk Çelik included the following remarks in his post:

"Dialogue between the government and the opposition is important in democracies.

However, I am watching with astonishment the discussions surrounding the statements made by the CHP delegation after their meetings with our Minister of Treasury and Finance.

It is understood from the CHP delegation's statements that they went to the meeting with a list of instructions.

It is clear that there is a confusion of roles here.

The government's duty is to determine and implement policies, while the opposition's duty is to voice and criticize things they think the government does not see.

Not to impose a list of instructions. This attitude is not an approach that aligns with the good intentions of our President and our government.

This is not a dialogue either. It is political exploitation, it is populism. These are the things our economy needs the least."

İktidar muhalefet diyaloğu demokrasilerde önemlidir.
Ancak, CHP heyetinin Hazine Maliye Bakanımız ile görüşmelerden sonra yaptıkları açıklamalar etrafındaki tartışmaları hayretle izliyorum.

CHP heyetinin açıklamalarından bir talimat listesi ile görüşmeye gittikleri anlaşılıyor.…

— Faruk Çelik (@farukcelikcomtr) June 25, 2024

WHAT HAPPENED?

Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek held the expected meeting yesterday with Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karatepe.

CHP Deputy Chairman Karatepe stated that they shared the issues they had previously expressed to the public with a constructive opposition approach.

Karatepe said, "We conveyed 4 main demands at the meeting; an interim raise for the minimum wage, a significant improvement in pension payments, increasing agricultural subsidies and paying them to farmers at a rate of 1 percent as foreseen by the agricultural law. In this context, updating the purchase prices for tea and wheat that have been announced so far. Also, the elimination of tax injustice, which we see as one of the important problems of the economy."

The first statement from Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek came after the CHP visit. Şimşek's statements are as follows:

With the approval of our President, I welcomed CHP Deputy Chairman Mr. Yalçın Karatepe, whom I accepted, at the entrance of the building without applying protocol rules and met with him in the office.

In the meeting that lasted over 4 hours, where we listened to their views and suggestions, we transparently explained our perspective regarding all the issues brought to the agenda. We noted their suggestions within the scope of democratic courtesy and economic-financial realities. We also gave a detailed presentation regarding our implemented economic program.

However, we subsequently observed that their messages to the public regarding the meeting were given with concerns for the gallery and supporters.

I hope this attitude and approach does not damage the spirit of dialogue and normalization.

News Source: 12punto