Turkey’s Parliament passes 2022 budget

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Turkey's Parliament approved the government's 2022 budget late Friday (December 16) following a 12-day marathon session.

In the vote taken by 524 members of the parliament, the 2022 budget of Turkey has been approved by 327 votes against 197.

As was the case during almost all sessions, the final session was also marked by debates on the increase in foreign exchange rates, the increase in the minimum wage and the policy rate cut of the Central Bank.

The spokespersons of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) addressed the allegations about the possible declaration of a State of Emergency in Turkey over the economic crisis, trying to eliminate the suspicions and ambiguities on the part of capital groups.

'Nothing will happen to financial liberty'

Despite not being an MP, Vice President Fuat Oktay addressed the General Assembly of the Parliament again. Oktay criticized Prof. İlhan Özgenç's remarks about an "economic State of Emergency".

"We will take all our steps in full accordance with the free market economy and the principle of financial liberty," he said, adding the Republic of Turkey would "continue to establish trust in the domestic and international investors." He reiterated that "it was not possible" for the government "to bring a practice against financial liberty to its agenda."

'His remarks crossed the lines'

Speaking about the entire budget at the final session, AKP Deputy Chair Numan Kurtulmuş said, "Turkey will not give up on its economic policy based on investments, production, employment, export and growth. The remarks about an economic state of emergency crossed the lines; no one should think about it. Turkey moves within free market economy conditions."

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Konya MP Mustafa Kalaycı also argued that the increase in exchange rates against Turkish Lira does not happen by itself: "Who are the ones who increase the demand for foreign exchanges? Who pumps distrust? It must be definitely disclosed."

'It is because of distrust; hold snap elections'

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) İstanbul MP İlhan Kesici said that they would vote against the AKP's budget proposal.

"In my opinion, the increase in the exchange rate from 9 lira onward was not caused by the economy, but by distrust in politics," CHP's Kesici said. Calling for a snap election, he indicated that "an arbiter must be called in and this arbiter is the people and the ballot box."

'1 USD came from 1.6 to 16 TRY because of you'

Speaking on behalf of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) group, HDP Parliamentary Group Deputy Chair Meral Danış-Beştaş raised concerns about the increase in the foreign exchange rates: "You have managed to bring the dollar from 1.6 to 16 lira. Congratulations." (AEK/SD)