‘Budget’ rift in the People's Alliance: Rejection from the New Welfare Party!

Ercan KÜÇÜK - 12punto.com.tr

The 2024 Central Government Budget Law Proposal and the 2022 Central Government Final Account Law Proposal were accepted in the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM). During the vote, the New Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah Partisi), a member of the People's Alliance, cast a dissenting vote.

A total of 566 votes were cast in the ballot; the proposal received 317 votes in favor and 249 against. In the vote for the 2022 Central Government Final Account Law Proposal, 563 votes were cast; the proposal received 317 votes in favor and 246 against.

In addition to the opposition, the New Welfare Party, which is continuing alliance negotiations with the AK Party for the local elections, also cast a dissenting vote. New Welfare Party deputies Chairman Fatih Erbakan, Deputy Chairmen Doğan Bekin and Mehmet Aşıla voted against the proposal, while Secretary General Suat Pamukçu did not participate in the vote.

It appears that there is a deadlock in the alliance negotiations between the AK Party and the New Welfare Party regarding the local elections. It is even alleged that the New Welfare Party will nominate Deputy Chairman Mehmet Altınöz in Istanbul. Speaking to 12punto, Altınöz stated that they would field a candidate in Istanbul, adding that the AK Party and the President owe them a debt of loyalty and therefore should support them.

News Source: 12punto