President Erdoğan calls for a 'boycott' against exorbitant prices.

The first Cabinet Meeting of the year, chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has concluded. The meeting, held at the Presidential Complex in Beştepe, lasted approximately 3 hours.

"BOYCOTT EXORBITANT PRICES"

After the meeting, President Erdoğan addressed the cameras and called for a boycott. Erdoğan stated, "Our citizens also need to contribute to the fight against the high cost of living. The way to do this is to boycott those who sell exorbitant prices."

"THE INCREASE IN MINIMUM WAGE CAN BE USED AS AN EXCUSE TO RAISE PRICES BY 5 OR 10 UNITS"

Part of Erdoğan's statements regarding the issue is as follows: "While the cost may increase by 2-3 units due to the increase in minimum wage, this increase can be used as an excuse to raise prices by 5 or 10 units. It is evident that these increases stem from greed, avarice, and lack of conscience. Our honest, ethical, and conscientious businesses are in the majority; they are not the subjects of our words."

"WE ARE WORKING HARD TO ENSURE OUR CITIZENS HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND RELIABLE FOOD"

The state is certainly obliged to do what is necessary in the fight against opportunism. In inspections last year, approximately 5 billion lira in administrative fines were imposed on 224,000 companies applying exorbitant prices. A total of 366 million lira in fines were imposed on 1,555 real and legal entities during inspections. We are also working hard to ensure our citizens have access to healthy and reliable food. In 2024, we conducted 1.3 million inspections and imposed 1.4 billion lira in fines. We do not tolerate those who mix fraud into the products they sell or who take from the pockets of the people. These inspections will increase even more in 2025.

"A FREE MARKET DOES NOT MEAN LAWLESSNESS"

We will protect the rights and laws of 85 million people at the highest level within the framework of free market principles. A free market does not mean lawlessness. The purpose of our inspections is not to interfere with the free market but to ensure its healthier operation.

"OUR GREATEST ASSET AGAINST OPPORTUNISTS IS OUR FREEDOM NOT TO PURCHASE"

Our citizens also need to contribute to the fight against the high cost of living. The way to do this is to boycott those who sell exorbitant prices. As citizens, our greatest asset against opportunists is our freedom not to purchase. In this regard, the state and the nation can achieve much more effective results by working hand in hand. We have made significant progress in the fight against inflation in the last 1.5 years. As inflation decreases, the purchasing power of all 85 million will increase. Our goal in 2025 is to largely resolve this issue.