Turkey's 'Tarp Government' Criticized Over Economic Woes and NATO Summit Security

Mahmut Arıkan, the leader of Turkey's Saadet Party, has sharply criticized the ruling AK Party, labeling it a "tarp government" for its alleged tendency to conceal problems rather than address them. Speaking at a party group meeting, Arıkan pointed to the widespread use of tarps to cover unsightly areas, including preparations for an upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, as evidence of this approach.

"We call it a tarp government because this government considers covering up problems, not solving them, as its skill," Arıkan stated. He argued that the government cannot hide its incompetence and shame with tarps, especially after 25 years in power. Arıkan also drew attention to the decline in tobacco production, showing a bundle of tobacco as a symbol of national labor and will. He noted that the number of people relying on tobacco farming has plummeted from nearly 500,000 to just 35,000 under the AK Party's rule, while annual cigarette consumption in Turkey has surpassed a record 160 billion units.

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This government considers covering up problems, not solving them, as its skill.

Arıkan further lambasted the government's economic policies, highlighting contradictions such as opposing high interest rates while the country sets new records, and opposing inflation while inflation itself reaches new peaks. He also criticized the government's handling of pensions, stating that the current lowest pension of 20,000 lira is far from the 45,000 lira it would be if the ratio to the minimum wage from the 2001 crisis era were maintained. He called for a permanent legal düzenleme to equalize the lowest pension with the minimum wage in July.

Additionally, Arıkan questioned the stringent security measures being implemented for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. He cited arrests of individuals for potential protests, restrictions on printing presses, and media embargoes, contrasting these actions with the government's own numerous visits to the U.S., where he claimed no such measures were taken. Arıkan questioned the necessity of imposing bans in various cities like Afyonkarahisar, Karabük, and Mersin, suggesting it might be a preparation for a state of emergency and an infringement on citizens' constitutional rights.

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You visited the U.S. many times, how many parks were closed? How many people were arrested days in advance? We say, '0'.