Şahali: Budget Likely to End 2025 in Deficit

Highlighting the critical role of budgets, Şahali emphasized the significance of the committee’s budget deliberations. He acknowledged the opposition's detailed scrutiny of the budget while noting the government’s tendency to dismiss opposition proposals. Şahali urged Committee Chair Resmiye Canaltay to ensure her remarks, which he described as critical and cautionary, are taken seriously by the government.

Şahali pointed to the lack of a proper registration mechanism in the country as a major obstacle to stability, arguing that the absence of accurate records prevents effective planning. He criticized the 2025 budget as a document aimed at short-term solutions, claiming it fails to address urgent national issues.

Noting the country’s significant challenges, Şahali stated that the 2024 budget deficit is expected to exceed projections. He highlighted economic disadvantages stemming from the use of the Turkish Lira and pointed to increased cross-border shopping in South Cyprus as a consequence.

Şahali also criticized the 2025 budget for lacking allocations to reverse the growing trade and budget deficits. He emphasized that the opposition evaluates the budget not only in terms of numerical sufficiency but also its ability to support long-term goals.

Referring to inefficiencies in public sector management, Şahali highlighted a shortage of qualified, competent personnel and stressed the need for a disciplined and apolitical public personnel regime.

Şahali concluded by stating that the overall budget of 136.28 billion TL is likely to end 2025 in deficit, with the projected 17.6 billion TL deficit potentially soaring to 50 billion TL.