Austerity measures had been published: Record increase in public spending in the first 4 months of the year

While citizens are struggling with the cost of living due to high inflation and economic hardship, the increase in spending by public institutions and organizations continues.

Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek recently announced austerity measures in the public sector; however, according to budget expenditure data, public institutions spent 886 million 797 thousand TL on meetings, representation, and promotion in the first 4 months of this year.

According to the report by Başak Kaya from Sözcü, the amount spent on meetings and dinners organized by the public sector was 18 million 838 thousand TL in January, 92 million 295 thousand TL in February, 714 million 478 thousand liras in March, and 61 million 185 thousand liras in April. The amount spent on vehicle rentals during the 4-month period increased by 124 percent compared to the same period last year, rising from 150 million 82 thousand liras to 335 million 864 thousand liras.

In the same period, the amount paid for building rentals also increased by 179 percent compared to last year, rising from 11 billion 576 million 966 thousand liras to 32 billion 311 million 112 thousand liras.

The "Secret service expenditure," or discretionary fund, in the budget data is also increasing exponentially. In the first 4 months of last year, 1 billion 209 million 366 thousand liras were spent from this item. In all of 2023, this amount was 6 billion 475 million 687 thousand liras. The increase in the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year was 240 percent, rising to 4 billion 113 million 841 thousand liras.

'BUDGET DATA SHOWS US THE GOVERNMENT'S PRIORITIES'

Stating that performative steps are being taken, TBMM Planning and Budget Commission CHP Spokesperson and İzmir Deputy Rahmi Aşkın Türeli said the following in his statement:

“The government, which demands austerity from retirees, workers, and minimum wage earners, does not give up on discretionary spending when it comes to itself. There is no such thing as austerity like this. We do not see austerity in the public sector. Performative steps are being taken. Şimşek calls for austerity in the public sector, but all they do is cut the bread of the retiree. The budget data shows us the government's priorities. There is a government that is disconnected from society and does not understand the state of the citizens. It is also impossible to estimate the figure that the expenditures, which increase exponentially every month, will reach by the end of the year.”

News Source: 12punto