Turkish main opposition CHP applies to AYM for annulment of public savings measures

Duvar English

Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) on Sept. 19 applied to the Constitutional Court to annul the Public Savings Measures Law numbered 7521, which was enacted on July 2024. 

CHP Group Deputy Chair Gökhan Günaydın made a statement after filing the application, saying, “The law includes a provision that grants an exemption from stamp duty and reduces the Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) rates, especially for the benefit of a foreign investor.” In other words, the title of the law is about savings, but it reduces stamp duty and ÖTV rates, and it does so for the benefit of an investor. This is both unconstitutional and contrary to the title of the law."

Günaydın added, "It also exempts the Turkish Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAŞ) from adhering to the Public Procurement Law in its natural gas purchases, as well as in its oil and gas exploration and drilling activities, and exempts the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) from following this law in its foreign imports.” 

The group chair asked, “Does complying with the Public Procurement Law lead to savings in this country, or does excluding BOTAŞ and TMO from this law benefit the country more in terms of savings? Clearly, it doesn’t, and that’s why we are calling for its annulment as well."

Regarding dual salaries in the public sector, Günaydın said the amendment did not enact regulations until the end of 2024, which meant that public officials could receive multiple salaries despite the law.  

"In other words, a small group of ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) supporters can continue to receive privileged multiple salaries until the end of this year due to the gaps left in the amendment.” 

“If this has anything to do with savings or the public interest, let the lawmakers tell us,” concluded the deputy chair. 

The party also shared an official statement on their social media account.