06.03.2026 23:42
Speaking in the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, AK Party Group Deputy Chair Özlem Zengin stated that the criticism of the Assembly through the 'meal' and 'iftar menu' in the media should come to an end, saying, "Since we are constantly at the center of this issue, if this is a matter, let's not serve meals in the Assembly aside from our colleagues who work here, let it not happen. If necessary, let's close the restaurants as well."
The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT) General Assembly convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Tekin Bingöl to discuss the proposal for the Law on National Parks and Amendments to Certain Laws and the Decree Law No. 375.
AK Party Group Deputy Chair Özlem Zengin, who took the floor to evaluate the agenda, stated that the criticism of the GNAT in the media regarding 'food' and 'iftar menu' should come to an end.
"OUR PEOPLE THINK THAT THESE MEALS COME FROM THE ASSEMBLY'S BUDGET..."
Recalling the iftar given by GNAT President Numan Kurtulmuş at the GNAT on Tuesday, Zengin said: "This week, Mr. Özgür Özel in our group said, 'I swear, if there hadn't been an incident, I would have attended the Assembly President's iftar. There was going to be a round table. I would have come and sat at that table.' If he had come and sat at the table, there would have been no discussion about this meal. Yesterday, you see, our Assembly President hosted an iftar for an NGO. I looked at the menu. I won't read the entire menu. CHP Group Chair Murat Emir must have eaten a beef fillet with potatoes there. It's on the menu. In other words, if you come to the table you sit at to eat, you have no intention of paying the bill. You eat the food at the table you sit at, but you have no issue with the bill. If by chance you don't come, then the bill falls to us for some reason. For example, there are many friends who were invited that day. We have friends from the DEM Group. We have friends from the MHP. Many political party friends who are members of parliament and have a party leader are sitting at that table, but for some reason, the bill strangely falls to us and the Assembly. Every day, nearly 600 people eat in the GNAT as a cafeteria. There are different restaurants. About 2,000 people eat there. In the restaurants within this General Assembly, at best, 7,500 people eat on the busiest days, and in January, 11,000 people ate. There are not 11,000 members of parliament here; our number of MPs is 600, and I have never seen 600 of them side by side. Those who eat this food are people from Anatolia, guests. Mr. Mustafa said, 'This week we served the meal of 100 muhtars at once,' and our people think that these meals come from the Assembly's budget. No, the cost of these meals is paid by the members of parliament, you, and us. Can we please stop the humiliation of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey because of this food issue? It really is unacceptable.
"LET'S NOT SERVE FOOD IN THE ASSEMBLY EXCEPT FOR OUR COLLEAGUES WORKING IN THE ASSEMBLY, AND IF NECESSARY, LET'S CLOSE THE RESTAURANTS"
If it has an important meaning, let's remove it. If we cannot find a common solution to this issue, my suggestion is this. I have not yet negotiated on behalf of my group. I have not spoken with our Assembly President, but this is my personal suggestion. Since we are constantly at the center of this issue, and since my last name is 'Zengin'... Ultimately, what we need to do is, if this is an issue, let's not serve food in the Assembly except for our colleagues working in the Assembly, let it not happen. Let's not use the restaurants at all. If necessary, let's close the restaurants. Do not do this injustice to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Please let this food issue end. I am strongly disturbed by the fact that these issues are being brought to the agenda on Sözcü TV, NOW TV, and Halk TV, and I believe that this issue should end in the General Assembly now."