The minimum wage increase, which fell short of expectations, put AK Party lawmakers in a difficult position.

The main agenda item in the AK Party's backstage discussions for the last two days has been the increase in the minimum wage, which fell below expectations. Since Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan announced the figure on Tuesday evening, AK Party members' phones have been working overtime. Citizens reacting to the figure flooded the social media accounts, office phones, and mobile phones of the deputies with messages of protest.

"THE CITIZENS ARE RIGHT ON THIS ISSUE"

According to what is being discussed in the backstage; AK Party deputies, who expressed that they are struggling to respond to the incoming reactions, made the following assessment: "We were also very surprised by the figure. Frankly, we were expecting it to be around 23 thousand 500 or 24 thousand lira. When it was announced as 22 thousand 104 lira, we thought the President might make a touch during the group meeting the next day, but that did not happen. The reaction that has formed in the public was also conveyed to the President. They are reacting to both the figure and the contradiction of increasing taxes, fees, and fines collected by the state by about 44% while a 30% increase is made in the minimum wage. In this regard, the citizens are right. If the minimum wage is increased by 30%, the state should also increase its receivables by 30%. Another issue is that while a 30% increase is made in the minimum wage, the minimum wage support given to employers is increased by 43%. A balance should have been established here," they stated.

"REGARDING THE LOWEST PENSION..."

According to a report by Türkiye newspaper; AK Party members also stated that if an increase below expectations is made in the lowest pension, they will be in an even more difficult situation in their electoral districts. Party officials and deputies said, "A serious step needs to be taken regarding the lowest pension, which is currently 12 thousand 500 lira. If a mistake is made like in the minimum wage, it will be difficult for us to explain this. Because we are the ones facing the citizens," they assessed.