06.11.2026 14:12
During the budget discussions for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s 2027 budget at the Turkish Grand National Assembly Plan and Budget Committee, a striking moment occurred. Ümit Özlale, İzmir MP of the New Party, turned his back on Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, who was shaking hands with MPs, recalling the hotel fire disaster in Kartalkaya. Özlale reacted to Ersoy with the words, “While people were fighting for their lives, he was exercising at the hotel.”
The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Plan and Budget Committee convened under the chairmanship of AK Party Samsun MP Mehmet Muş. At the meeting, where the 2027 budget of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism was discussed, a noteworthy protest took place against Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.
HE TURNED HIS BACK ON MINISTER ERSOY
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, upon arriving at the committee hall, shook hands with the MPs before starting his budget presentation. While Ersoy was greeting the opposition MPs, New Party İzmir MP Ümit Özlale protested by turning his back on the minister.
The reason for Özlale's reaction was the hotel fire disaster in Bolu Kartalkaya.
"WHILE PEOPLE WERE FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES, HE WAS EXERCISING AT THE HOTEL"
Recalling the Kartalkaya disaster, Özlale made harsh criticisms of Minister Ersoy. Özlale said, "While people were fighting for their lives, he was exercising at the hotel. He did not meet with them even once. He did not ask how they were."
Özlale's protest was one of the striking moments in the committee before the budget negotiations began.
ANOTHER MP ALSO DIRECTED A QUESTION TO MINISTER ERSOY
At the meeting, New Party Antalya MP Cavit Arı also directed a question to Minister Ersoy. Arı asked why Ersoy did not attend the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival.
2027 BUDGETS UNDER DISCUSSION
In the committee, in addition to the 2027 budget of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the budgets of institutions such as the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, the Directorate General of Foundations, the Turkish Language Association, the Turkish Historical Society, the Directorate General of State Theatres, and the Directorate General of State Opera and Ballet are also being addressed.
Additionally, the budgets, final accounts, and Court of Accounts reports of the Radio and Television Supreme Council, the Cappadocia Area Presidency, the Uludağ Area Presidency, and other relevant institutions are planned to be discussed.