Solyalı: Budget Deficit Hits Historic High of 17 Billion TL

Speaking on the Sabah Postası program aired on Kıbrıs Postası TV, hosted by Gökhan Altıner, Solyalı criticized the government’s budgetary priorities, emphasizing the reduction in allocations for social policies.

"Unprecedented Budget Deficit"
Solyalı noted that this year’s budget deficit of 17 billion TL marks a significant increase compared to last year’s 6 billion TL, calling attention to drastic cuts in funding for health, education, transportation, and social welfare.

"No Investments in Traffic Safety"
Solyalı pointed out the reduced transportation budget, despite the rising number of traffic fatalities, which has exceeded 46 this year. He criticized the lack of investment in traffic safety measures.

"Cuts in Education and Social Security"
The MP also raised concerns about reduced funding for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, arguing that these cuts undermine support for vulnerable groups, including victims of domestic violence and individuals in need of social assistance.

"Reduced Police Funding Amid Rising Crime"
Solyalı revealed that criminal cases increased from 30,000 last year to 48,000 this year, yet the police force’s budget has been slashed by 1 billion TL. He criticized the lack of investment in the police’s technological infrastructure.

"Neglected Hospitals and Health System Failures"
Addressing the state of hospitals, Solyalı mentioned incidents such as babies being fed alcohol-laced formula, calling it a scandal that warranted immediate resignations.

Criticism of Economic Policies and Tax Amnesty
Solyalı questioned the government’s economic policies, citing a 59-million-euro tax amnesty granted to businessman Emrullah Turanlı last year and the tax exemptions for casinos, amounting to 12.5 billion TL. He also criticized the government for redirecting 70 billion TL in tax amnesties to private monopolies.

He further criticized the state-owned company Cypfruvex and the Binboğa administration, accusing them of mismanagement and a 50-million-TL loss in one year, stating, "They should be jailed for how they spent this money."

"2025 Will Be Even Tougher"
Predicting tougher economic conditions for 2025, Solyalı said citizens are already struggling to make ends meet. He also questioned the credibility of the official inflation rate for November, declared as 0.78%, calling it "impossible."