CHP leader questions whereabouts of $2.9 trillion spending during AKP rule

BURSA

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has criticized the public spending of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), saying the total has reached $2.94 trillion.

“During 79 years of the republic from 1923 to 2002, the total spending of all governments was $713 billion. From 2003 to 2017, under the AKP, the money spent is $2.94 trillion. Where has this money been spent?” Kılıçdaroğlu said, addressing representatives from NGOs in the northwestern province of Bursa on June 1.

“What has been done with this money? Roads and bridges have been built. But if this money was spent for development and growth then the country would be full of factories and production. Where is this $2 trillion?” he added.

The CHP leader also blasted the AKP for Turkey’s democratic decline, saying “there is no safety of property and life in Turkey right now” and underlining the importance of the principle of separation of powers, criticizing recent judicial processes for being “under influence of the presidential office.”

“If the judiciary is taking instructions from the presidential office or some other authorities, then there can be no safety of property or life,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

He also criticized the state of media, arguing that “the 90 percent of the media is under control of the government” and saying “there should be a race with equal opportunities.”

“Right now, [CHP presidential candidate Muharrem] İnce has been given a two or three hours in the media. Other candidates cannot find a place in the media,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

He also vowed that the CHP would raise the minimum retirement salary and the minimum wage.

“There are currently 1.5 million people who are receiving minimum wage. We have to build a strong social state. We will appoint 180,000 teachers in one year. We will launch a revolution in education,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

“When we talk about these promises [the AKP] asks us where we will find the money. You have spent $2 trillion, what have you done? You have spent it on those who are close to you. We will spend it on the nation,” he added.