Will the bridges be privatized? Both ministers pass the buck to Erdoğan

Allegations that bridges and highways will be privatized or that their operating rights will be transferred have been on the parliamentary agenda since last year. While opposition parties have brought the issue to the fore through parliamentary questions, the relevant ministers have not provided direct or clear explanations.

CHP DEMANDS CLARIFICATION ON BRIDGES

Özgür Özel requested clarification on the allegations that the two bridges in Istanbul would be privatized. Following the announcement of the Medium-Term Program, the opposition has brought the possibility of both privatization and the transfer of operating rights to the parliamentary agenda through written questions since September of last year.

The allegations in question included the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, and several highways.

QUESTIONS DIRECTED AT ŞİMŞEK

Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Ulaş Karasu asked Mehmet Şimşek in a parliamentary question submitted last September about allegations that preparations were being made to sell the operating rights for the two bridges and certain highways. Karasu also raised the question of whether there was a link between these allegations and the projected increase in privatization revenue for 2026.

Şimşek did not comment on the transfer of operating rights. Regarding the expected privatization revenue for 2026, he replied, "The amount in question is not related to the privatization of bridges and highways."

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION TO URALOĞLU

In a parliamentary question submitted to Abdulkadir Uraloğlu last November, Karasu also asked about allegations that the operation and maintenance rights for two bridges and nine highways would be transferred to the private sector for a certain period. Uraloğlu did not respond directly to this allegation. The minister only stated that maintenance and repair work on the bridges is being carried out meticulously.

Responding to CHP member Nail Çiler's question, "Is the plan to privatize two bridges and nine highways true?", Şimşek stated that for 2026, it is planned to generate revenue through the privatization of real estate, power plants, share sales, ports, and public services, as well as through practices implemented in previous years.

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek also noted that privatization efforts are being carried out within the framework of the program determined by Presidential Decree.

CHP Deputy Chairman Özgür Karabat also asked Uraloğlu whether the public-private partnership (PPP) model with guaranteed payments would be used in new bridge, highway, or similar infrastructure projects.

Uraloğlu, recalling the legislation regarding PPP projects, stated that all work and transactions carried out within this scope are conducted in accordance with the law. It was reported that the minister did not respond to another question on the same subject submitted in the new year.

News Source: 12punto