22.12.2025 06:45
During the budget discussions in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, MHP Deputy Chairman Mustafa Kalaycı highlighted the economic problems faced by tradespeople. Making a noteworthy suggestion, Kalaycı stated, "The opening of branches by shopping malls and large supermarket chains in city centers should be regulated, and they should be required to remain closed on Sundays."
Mustafa Kalaycı, Deputy Chairman of the MHP and Konya Member of Parliament, presented a striking proposal regarding shopping malls and large supermarket chains during the 2026 budget discussions in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
"COST-REDUCING INCENTIVES SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED"
Kalaycı stated, "Funding mechanisms that are accessible and cost-effective for the real sector, especially for SMEs, should be strengthened, cost-reducing and efficiency-increasing incentives should be implemented, and policies supporting exports should be prioritized more. Our tradesmen and artisans are the stabilizing elements and the backbone of our society and economy. They are not only producers and service providers but also the carriers of moral values, solidarity, and brotherhood.
"SHOPPING MALLS SHOULD BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS"
To protect tradesmen and increase their competitive power, regulations regarding the retail sector should be made, the opening of branches of shopping malls and large supermarket chains in city centers should be regulated, and they should be ensured to be closed on Sundays," he said.
"CREDIT CARD POS COMMISSIONS SHOULD BE REDUCED TO A REASONABLE LEVEL"
Kalaycı also touched upon new tax regulations for tradesmen, continuing his remarks as follows: "The requests for the restructuring of our tradesmen's tax and premium debts should be taken into account. The credit card POS commissions that create significant costs for our tradesmen should be reduced to a reasonable level.
The regulation that will subject the majority of tradesmen in districts with populations exceeding 30,000 in metropolitan cities to the real regime starting from the new year will provide equality in terms of tax justice in metropolitan cities, but it will create inequality for other cities and districts, especially putting small tradesmen in great difficulty.
"THE RETIREMENT PREMIUM DAY COUNT FOR TRADESMEN AND FARMERS SHOULD BE REDUCED TO 7,200"
In fact, it would be appropriate not to place all tradesmen on the same level by determining those who should be subject to the real regime according to the conditions in the Income Tax Law. Ease should definitely be provided for small tradesmen, and the burden of taxes, premiums, and interest should be alleviated. The driver tradesmen should be supported by differentiating the tax on the vehicles they will renew and the fuel they will use. Additionally, the retirement premium day count for tradesmen and farmers should be reduced to 7,200."