Şahali: Government Aims to Whitewash Untraceable Funds with 3% Tax

Speaking on Kıbrıs Postası TV’s “Gündem” programme hosted by Ulaş Barış, Şahali criticised the Finance Ministry’s proposed legislation and claimed it was tailored to the demands of narrow but influential circles.

Stating that CTP's primary goal is for its leader to become President, Şahali also drew attention to the country’s deepening socio-economic problems, stressing that the public was becoming increasingly impoverished.

“Most Likely, Someone Abroad Asked the Government to Create an Opening”

Şahali revealed that despite ongoing economic challenges, a bill allowing the transfer of “notional money” into the country had surfaced at the Finance Minister’s request. According to Şahali, the draft legislation would enable the inflow of money whose source would not be questioned, provided a 3% tax is paid.

“If you're inviting money into the country without caring about its source, there is no way such funds can be accounted for,” he said. He underlined that this was not money transferred through banking systems but rather brought in “by suitcase,” suggesting it likely involved suspicious origins. Şahali argued that someone abroad wishing to transfer such funds had probably pushed the government for this initiative.

“Government Acting on Demands of a Small but Influential Group”

Şahali also criticised the government for engineering a divisive headscarf debate to polarise society, while simultaneously amending the Gambling Law behind closed doors. He said the proposed changes would allow any hotel with a capacity of 750 beds or more to open a casino without restrictions.

These developments, he added, were not the work of a government genuinely motivated to improve citizens’ daily lives, but rather that of one catering to the demands of a small but powerful group.

“If Tosunoğlu’s Resignation Is Approved Before April 30, Elections Will Be Held on June 29”

Şahali stressed the urgency of heading to the polls to overcome the country’s problems. He stated that if Hasan Tosunoğlu’s resignation is approved before April 30, it would trigger a by-election for one MP and 13 local councillors alongside the municipal by-elections scheduled for June 29.

However, Şahali warned that the government was likely to delay the approval of the resignation to avoid holding the by-election, suggesting it would act tactically to prolong its time in office.