Canaltay: We Must Conduct a Population Census Immediately

Canaltay noted that economic challenges are expected to continue in the 2026 budget and emphasized that the budget deficit must be controlled through fiscal discipline. She highlighted that a significant portion of the budget is allocated to salaries and other current transfers.

Recalling that the 2026 Central Government Budget Bill is set at a total of 191 billion 131 million TL, Canaltay stressed that the projected budget deficit must be minimized while maintaining fiscal discipline.

Such deficits, she warned, could pose risks to growth, employment, and overall welfare. “I believe the Ministry of Finance has the determination to manage this situation effectively,” Canaltay added.

“We Must Conduct a Population Census”

Canaltay emphasized the critical role of accurate population data in calculating inflation rates, national income, and foreign trade statistics. She stated, “In almost every sector—especially in health, agriculture, transportation, education, tourism, and the labor market—if we want to advance, we must conduct a population census immediately.”

Highlighting the burden of unnecessary expenditures and overstaffing on the government, Canaltay stressed the importance of knowing the population to calculate supply and demand accurately, which forms the foundation of economic activity.

She also underscored the importance of preparing and publicly sharing an action plan to control the budget deficit and ensure fiscal discipline, emphasizing that it must be implemented decisively.

Canaltay pointed out that a budget that only covers public expenditures cannot contribute to the country’s economic development, and public sector savings must be prioritized. “As decision-makers, we must take the initiative for the citizens in this regard,” she said.

She added that planning for expenditure savings is as crucial as measures to increase revenue and called for the development of sector-specific economic policies through social consensus. Canaltay noted that policies on salaries and wages have been determined to protect employees’ purchasing power, while insufficient revenue has contributed to the budget deficit.

“Radical Reforms Are Needed”

Canaltay stressed the necessity of implementing radical reforms in the current fiscal structure, stating:

“A significant portion of consumption in our country depends on imported products, and all direct and indirect taxes on these imports are collected at customs. The frequently mentioned claim that ‘undeclared money exists in the country’ is partially true. Considering that all imported products pass through the customs line and are taxed, this undeclared money originates from certain services and sectors.

Measures and legal regulations targeting these sectors will eliminate this gap. Significant steps are needed in areas such as land registry services, salary payments, and work permits.

Price hikes in basic food items are due to insufficient production, lack of oversight, and failure to implement incentive programs. In an economic system where sufficient goods and services cannot be produced for consumption, price increases are inevitable. Correct incentives, regulation, and a competitive environment will bring affordability to our markets. We need a production system based on competition, not restrictions or prohibitions. This requires restructuring the fiscal and economic policies that have been maintained for 30–40 years.”

Canaltay concluded by highlighting the unlimited human resources, knowledge, capital, and assets necessary for the country’s economic independence. “The key is to restructure all these elements together,” she said.