Arıklı: Early Elections Inevitable After Presidential Election

The leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP), Minister of Public Works and Transportation Erhan Arıklı, was a guest on the program 'Sabah Postası' prepared and presented by Gökhan Altıner on Kıbrıs Postası TV. Arıklı made statements on the development program, budget deficit, construction sector, the economy shifting to the South, and minimum wage.

Starting with the visit of Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and the development program, Arıklı thanked Yılmaz, noting that he served as the development minister in Turkey and was an expert on the subject, contributing significantly to the prepared plan.

Arıklı emphasized that the current government is the longest-lasting and most stable government, and one of its greatest achievements is the prepared 5-year development program, which will guide future governments.

"EARLY ELECTIONS INEVITABLE AFTER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION"

Addressing the topic of early elections, Arıklı stated that early elections are inevitable after the presidential election, expecting early elections between December 2025 and February 2026.

Touching on the issue of withdrawing from the government, Arıklı said, "How will I give the answer I can't give to my conscience to the voters?" referring to the budget deficit.

He emphasized that the budget deficit can be closed not necessarily with price hikes but by legalizing gambling, bitcoin-forex, and virtual betting laws, thus bringing the informal economy into the formal economy.

Arıklı mentioned that he discussed these issues with the Prime Minister and that the pending laws would be prepared in the upcoming period.

"THE LIMIT ON SELLING APARTMENTS TO FOREIGNERS SHOULD BE COMPLETELY REMOVED"

Arıklı stated that he discussed the problems in the construction sector with the Prime Minister, emphasizing that the laws on land and apartment sales should be urgently separated, with supervision and restrictions for land sales.

For apartment sales, Arıklı stated that the restrictions on foreigners should be completely removed, as these sales would be a significant driver of the economy and solve the problems of contractors on the brink of bankruptcy.

Arıklı noted that the Prime Minister listened to him on this issue and that the relevant laws would be brought to the agenda soon, ending the government crisis.

Addressing the topic of surveys, Arıklı pointed out that CMIRS has consistently shown his party at 1% since its establishment, even after receiving 7% of the votes in the elections, expressing his surprise at the surveys and stating that his party's momentum is positive.

"THE CHAMBER OF INDUSTRY DOES NOT ANNOUNCE ITS COMPARATIVE REPORTS TO THE PUBLIC FOR SOME REASON"

Arıklı also made statements about the economy shifting to the South, noting that the ministry's reports on the issue reflect reality, and the Chamber of Industry's comparative reports show that market products in the South are 40% cheaper, leading people to prefer the South.

He emphasized that the solution to the economy shifting to the South is to make the market cheaper, stating that even if the minimum wage is 2000 dollars, it would not solve the cost of living, and that the minimum wage increase creates an inflationary spiral.

Arıklı mentioned that the labeling regulation, started during his term and completed during Amcaoğlu's term, would come into effect soon, taking an important step against the cost of living through supervision.

"WORKERS WILLING TO WORK FOR 100 DOLLARS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY EARN 1000 DOLLARS HERE"

Arıklı stated that the minimum wage issue was extensively discussed in the cabinet, noting that it is a sensitive issue as the private sector may resort to layoffs due to increasing costs. He emphasized that sectoral minimum wage is necessary, stating that workers from third-world countries willing to work for 100 dollars in their own country earn 1000 dollars here by state mandate.

Focusing on the hotel sector, Arıklı stated that foreign nationals whose accommodation and food expenses are covered could receive a salary of 400 dollars, with 100 dollars of this amount being deposited into the labor support fund, thus positively benefiting the local workforce by covering the social security costs of the local workforce.

Addressing the issue of vehicle registration fees, Arıklı stated that the increase required by the law was postponed to prevent the cost of living, and the increases made this year are a result of this postponement, but this situation was not fully explained to the public.

Finally, Arıklı made statements about the northern ring road, announcing that the bridge and junction would be completed in April 2026, and that many traffic problems in the Alayköy area would be solved by July 2026.