09.07.2025 11:50
The leader of the Saadet Party, Mahmut Arıkan, drew attention to the economic difficulties faced by young people in marriage during the parliamentary group meeting. Placing lifeless mannequins dressed in wedding gowns and tuxedos next to the podium, Arıkan stated, "Young people are not choosing not to marry; they are unable to marry," emphasizing that rising wedding costs, high rent prices, and financial struggles are driving young people away from marriage.
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In the New Path Group meeting held at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), Arıkan evaluated the agenda and made statements regarding the methane gas disaster in the Pençe-Kilit Operation area in northern Iraq, where 12 soldiers lost their lives.
Wishing God's mercy for the martyrs and patience and resilience for their grieving families, Arıkan said, "May our esteemed nation's head be held high. May God treat all our martyrs with His mercy. We kiss the foreheads of each of our martyrs who did not hesitate to obey the orders they received."
BRIDE AND GROOM MANNEQUINS BROUGHT TO THE PODIUM
Continuing his speech, Arıkan criticized the government's economic policies. He drew attention to the economic difficulties faced by young people during the marriage process. During his speech, Arıkan placed mannequins dressed in wedding gowns and tuxedos on either side of the podium and stated:
"As you know, summer has come, and the wedding season has opened. When 2025 was declared the 'Year of Family', we heard many things from the government about weddings and marriage. First of all, I want to emphasize once again; we are in favor of all actions to be taken within the scope of the Year of Family that will provide our youth with a breath of fresh air. We find it important to draw attention to a topic that is truly a 'matter of survival' like family and to work on it.
We find the discount agreements made with some companies announced last week and the reductions in certain items of official transaction fees very positive and valuable. However, these are not enough; they are not sustainable. For example, last year you said, 'We will provide 150,000 lira support for couples getting married,' but this money has long since eroded against inflation. Moreover, you are not giving this support to everyone. The one-time aid you provide does not heal a wound. The real problem is much deeper.
"THE COST OF RENTING A WEDDING DRESS IS EQUIVALENT TO A RETIREE'S PENSION"
Yes, friends, we have a bride and a groom among us. Although our Minister of Family and Social Services linked the reluctance of young people to marry to technology and modern living in recent weeks, the realities are somewhat different. Almost every young girl has a dream of wearing a wedding dress. Forget about buying this dress; even renting it costs at least one retiree's pension. Just imagine the cost of buying it. Now, let's look at the tuxedo next to me. Its fate is the same. A tuxedo today corresponds to either a retiree's pension or a minimum wage.
We rented a house, and now we need furniture for it. Today, the cost of furniture, white goods, and other necessities at the most basic level reaches 500,000 lira. Well, there goes 22 minimum wages. The wedding dress, tuxedo, house, and furniture are somehow settled. To complete the marriage, a wedding must also be held. At that point, things get a bit more complicated. This will, of course, vary according to needs, but roughly speaking, a wedding can be held for at least 400,000 lira. Well, there goes another 18 minimum wages.
"'FAMILY CANNOT BE ESTABLISHED IN THE YEAR OF FAMILY'"
Let's say our young people managed to have a wedding with great difficulty. Their loved ones will come and congratulate them at the wedding. Gold has risen so much that no one has the power to give gold anymore. In other words, people who used to think, 'I will give a gold piece' with the joy of a wedding are now wondering, 'How will I participate in the gift ceremony?' Let's make a rough calculation based on all this. With the wedding dress, tuxedo, house, furniture, and wedding... A young brother earning a minimum wage must save for 45 months without touching his salary to be able to get married. A retiree father must save for 62 months without touching his salary to be able to marry off his child. This is what our young people are waiting for. They are trying to save this money. Because of this economic situation, our young people cannot establish families in the Year of Family. This is why our young people's dreams of wedding dresses and tuxedos remain unfulfilled. The Minister of Family says, 'If you love, go get married.' Mr. Minister, our young people love, but they cannot marry."
At the end of his speech, Arıkan addressed the youth, saying, "This system may leave you alone, but we will not leave you alone. We will be your voice, we will share your burden. You will see, we will change this system for you and with you."
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