09.12.2024 23:30
In the ongoing budget discussions in the Parliament, AK Party member Efkan Ala spoke on behalf of his party. Responding to the criticisms of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, Ala said, "We come from the market; you are just learning the way."
In the budget discussions, AK Party's Deputy Chairman and Bursa Deputy Efkan Ala and Group Chairman Abdullah Güler spoke on behalf of the AK Party. Efkan Ala made the first speech on behalf of the AK Party. Ala began his remarks by expressing condolences for the 6 soldiers who were martyred in Isparta.
In his speech, Ala also responded to the criticisms of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, stating, "We are making criticisms regarding municipalities. Because our citizens are conveying these criticisms to us. What we desire is for the services we have entrusted to your municipalities to be carried out properly. AK Party's municipalism is not something that will learn from anyone. Because it is a brand that started with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It has succeeded in elections many times. In the end, a warning was given, but know that we are organizing these matters. Do not be misled; we are also looking at many surveys; the AK Party is again the leading party in the field."
"OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS SUSTAINABLE GROWTH, A COMPETITIVE ECONOMY, AND FAIR INCOME DISTRIBUTION WITH INCREASING PROSPERITY"
Highlights from Ala's speech are as follows: "Our 2025 budget has been prepared with an understanding that supports investment, employment, production, and exports, aiming for an increase in social welfare. Our budget aims for sustainable development and stable growth. It prioritizes education, health, qualified human capital, value-added production, and technological transformation. This is a budget of stability, implementation, and development. This budget supports our goals in education, health, justice, defense, security, agriculture, industry, energy, transportation, and all other areas with our vision of the Century of Turkey as the People's Alliance. Our ultimate goal is to ensure sustainable growth, a competitive economy, and fair income distribution with increasing prosperity.
We are discussing the 2025 budget in a context where global and regional risks and uncertainties are increasing. The rising protectionism in international trade, high debt levels, post-election political uncertainties in developed countries, natural disasters, epidemics, and migrations are closely affecting the entire world and our region.
"WE NEED TO CONTINUE ON OUR PATH BY ANALYZING VERY WELL WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD AND OUR NEAR GEOGRAPHY"
The trade and technology wars between the US and China, along with protective measures and additional tariffs that disrupt international trade rules, are directly negatively affecting production costs and foreign trade processes worldwide. Technology and production wars are becoming a battleground for the survival of key players in fundamental sectors during the industrial revolution, especially in the machinery and automotive sectors. On the other hand, crises such as terrorism occurring in the main transfer routes of international trade are increasing production costs while disrupting supply chains. The world economy, which experienced a sharp economic contraction in 2020, has followed a fluctuating course due to geopolitical tensions and conflicts, managing to record a growth rate of 3.3% in 2023. Although risks and uncertainties have increased recently, the global economy is expected to continue growing at an annual rate of 3.2% in 2024 and 2025. We are sharing all of this for a reason. We are an important country in the world. We both influence and are influenced by the developments happening in our region and the world. We are an important actor, but we also produce activities and policies in determining the course. Therefore, we need to continue on our path by analyzing very well what is happening in the world and our near geography. In this regard, in such an environment where we closely observe many conflicts and uncertainties with more current results in the world and our near geography, Turkey continues on its path with determination thanks to the effective and result-oriented diplomacy it applies in international relations. During the 22 years of AK Party governments, our country has become a strong country whose power is continuously increasing at the regional level and whose effectiveness is rising at the global level, and every step it takes is closely monitored.
"WE HAVE INCREASED OUR NATIONAL INCOME BY 3.5 TIMES DURING OUR GOVERNMENTS"
As we enter the Century of Turkey, our national income for 2023 has broken a record by exceeding 1.1 trillion dollars for the first time in the history of the Republic of Turkey. However, despite weak external demand and the destruction caused by the earthquake, which is the disaster of the century, our economy continued its trend of uninterrupted growth for 14 years in 2023, growing by 5.1%, achieving a rate above the world average. During our governments, we have increased our national income by 3.5 times. As of 2023, we have raised our per capita national income to 13,243 dollars, and we expect this figure to reach 15,000 dollars by the end of the year. This represents a qualitative change in the Turkish economy and a leap in its league. We are determined to elevate this country to the group of high-income countries. In the last budget period, employment has continued to increase significantly, and unemployment rates have decreased significantly.
ALA TO CHP RANKS: "WE COME FROM THE MARKET, YOU JUST LEARNED THE WAY THERE"
Ala stated, "The speakers who have come out generally measure us by our records. Well, we broke those records, and we will break them again. There is no problem there. But when compared to the previous periods, we have written history and have run from success to success," and when he received a reaction from the opposition ranks, Ala said, "We come from the market; you just learned the way there. We come from there; our President comes from the market, from the street."
Upon this, Numan Kurtulmuş warned, saying, "Until now, everyone has really listened to each other with great maturity. Let's listen to Mr. Ala with maturity as well. Please, let’s not throw remarks."
"THE ONE WHO WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEMS IS THIS LEADER, THIS TEAM, AND THIS CREW WHO HAVE SIGNED THESE SUCCESSES"
Ala continued his remarks as follows: "What is important is that everyone can express their opinions here, especially those opinions we do not agree with. I did not throw remarks from there; I am raising my voice now, not my volume. We represent the will in the best way. You are still getting acquainted with the ballot box. Anyway... I would be very pleased if the path of the government passes through there, and all parties behave accordingly.
The process of decline in inflation continues. Our citizens should be at ease. We are implementing our economic program with determination, and we are achieving the results we planned. We will bring inflation down to single digits within the timeline we have forecasted.
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Until the AK Party governments, the amount of foreign direct investment coming to Turkey from 1973 to 2002 was 15.1 billion dollars. During the AK Party governments, 269.3 billion dollars of investment has come. The policies we have implemented are yielding results. Of course, we have faced some problems domestically due to issues arising from the global conjuncture. The one who will resolve them is this leader, this team, and this cadre that has achieved these successes.
The main aim of our politics and the economic program we implement is to increase the welfare of our retirees, workers, tradespeople, farmers, civil servants, and youth, and of every segment of our society.
"THE SYRIAN PEOPLE HAVE REACHED A STAGE WHERE THEY WILL DECIDE THEIR COUNTRY'S FUTURE"
Today, the world is facing serious uncertainty and unpredictability along with issues such as global terrorism, irregular migration, rising unemployment, environmental destruction, and cyber threats. Global trade wars, rising foreign hostility, and Islamophobia, as well as regional conflicts, have become current and pressing issues. These developments have fostered economic isolationism and protectionism worldwide, while politically, they have begun to nourish extreme political movements that were previously defined as marginal in developed countries. These movements have risen to the position of the main opposition in some countries and have become coalition partners in others. Unfortunately, these countries have entered a period of democratic stagnation and even regression. International organizations, unfortunately, are ineffective due to their structures and functions. Although the current developments have not yet turned into a hot conflict on a global scale, we must be more cautious and careful than ever.
A significant portion of regional conflicts is occurring around us. After a period that began in Syria in 2011, leading to the death of over half a million people, the displacement of millions, and great destruction in the country, the Syrian people have reached a stage where they will decide their country's future. The current period has revealed how accurate our country's policy and priorities regarding Syria have been, while also showing that our concerns have been justified.
"A NEW FUTURE AWAITS THE SYRIAN PEOPLE"
Especially in recent months, it has become clear how important the initiatives launched by our President regarding the upcoming process in Syria are. From the beginning, the main elements of the policy we have pursued towards Syria have been the elimination of terrorism from Syrian territory, the preservation of the country's unity and territorial integrity, and progress in the political process, allowing Syrians to return to their country safely and voluntarily. In line with these goals, our country, focusing on tranquility in Syria, has ensured the cessation of conflicts through the Astana process, but this has not been adequately appreciated. The rising wave of dissatisfaction among the people due to the unresolved chronic problems in Syria, combined with civilian casualties caused by regime attacks, has led to the end of the Ba'ath regime. From now on, we must focus on the future. A new future awaits the Syrian people. At the same time, there is a responsibility that must be undertaken. In the upcoming process, we desire to establish a Syria where peace prevails, different ethnic groups live side by side in harmony, and do not produce instability for their neighbors. The Syrian people need to manage the transition process in an orderly manner without succumbing to feelings of revenge or allowing ethnic conflict. For this, it is crucial for the Syrian opposition to be united and to quickly establish an inclusive transition narrative. They shared their efforts on this today. Ultimately, the uninterrupted functioning of state institutions is one of the main conditions for this transition process to proceed in an orderly manner. As a result, the Syrian people, who have suffered injustice and oppression, have found the opportunity to achieve better conditions.
Turkey is ready to take responsibility for what needs to be done to heal Syria's wounds and ensure its unity, integrity, and security. This will also facilitate the return of millions of Syrians who have been forced to leave their homes to their own lands. Ultimately, it should be remembered that a Syria where stability is not established will create many additional problems for the region and the international community. It is clear that terrorist organizations will try to take advantage of the current environment, as they always do. Considering the security risks that uncontrolled situations on the ground may create, opportunities for the actions of terrorist organizations will not be allowed. Under the leadership of our President, Turkey is making every effort on international platforms to ensure peace and stability in Syria and is producing concrete and inclusive solutions.
"PEOPLE COULDN'T NAME THEIR CHILDREN AS THEY WISHED; WE ESTABLISHED A 24-HOUR BROADCASTING TELEVISION CHANNEL"
Israel wants to spread the conflict throughout the region, especially in Lebanon. Israel's aggression and disregard for international law are dragging the entire region into disaster. We advocate a two-state solution, proposing a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. We are working for this.
In previous earthquakes, governments were buried under the rubble. Now, in this great disaster, our state, our nation, and our government have mobilized with all their capabilities. So far, we have provided 1,477,000 houses to our nation through TOKİ across Turkey. There are some things we have done as the AK Party that no one else could have done. We sent the 28 February, which was said to last a thousand years, to the dustbin of history in 10 years. We removed the obstacles to freedom of belief. We put an end to the understanding that separated our youth into those with and without headscarves. People couldn't name their children as they wished; we established a 24-hour broadcasting television channel. We returned the properties of community foundations. We did not divide; we united. We also rebuilt the Atatürk Cultural Center, and we built the mosque in Taksim. We opened Hagia Sophia as well.
"YOU ARE DOING CONCERT MUNICIPALITY INSTEAD OF SERVICE MUNICIPALITY"
Ala also responded to the criticisms of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel during the budget discussions by saying, "I would like to make some brief evaluations regarding the issues raised."
"We are making criticisms regarding municipalities.
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Because our people are also conveying these criticisms to us. What we desire is for the services we deliver to your municipalities to be carried out properly. The municipal governance of the AK Party is not something that will learn from anyone. Because it is a brand that started with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It has succeeded in elections many times. In the end, a warning was given, but know that we are organizing these matters. Do not be fooled; we are looking at many surveys; the AK Party is again the leading party in the field. We want municipalities to do something about earthquakes and urban transformation. We will also support them because we should not let this nation experience these pains. You are not paying your SGK debts, so what are you doing? You are engaging in concert governance instead of service governance. You are spending 94 million on concerts, and our objection is to this. The budget of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality is greater than that of many of our Foreign Affairs, Interior, Justice, Youth, and Sports Ministries. Therefore, there are resources available. Our advice to you is to let them do their jobs and use the resources correctly. The rate of our university youth settling into dormitories is 97%. The information given to the esteemed chairman is incorrect. As for kindergartens, we have no problem with them. But the esteemed chairman said we have granted permission to open kindergartens. The CHP took it to the Constitutional Court and had it annulled. What can we do?
"THIS MEANS THAT HE IS SHOUTING FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NEED THAT CANNOT EVEN GUARANTEE ITS OWN IMPLEMENTATION"
You made evaluations regarding the economy here. But criticizing is not a project or a program. The economy cannot be managed with populist polemics. We are implementing our economic program that will increase the welfare of all segments, reduce inflation, and increase employment. Come, if you have no alternative policies, support this program and let’s increase the trust in the nation, and carry Turkey to its goals more quickly.
As a final word on the Constitution… It means that the esteemed chairman is shouting for a constitutional amendment need that cannot even guarantee its own implementation. Just in the last election, the CHP established a six-party table. The first agenda of the table was constitutional amendment. We have been saying this since we were established. Are you satisfied with the 82 coup Constitution, or not? Do you say let’s change this, or do you not? The choice is yours, dear brothers and sisters.
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