Erdoğan's 'credit card' instruction

Ayşegül Kahvecioğlu / ANKARA - The AK Party's traditional consultation camp, held in Kızılcahamam over the weekend with the participation of members of parliament, the Central Executive Committee (MYK), the Central Executive Committee (MKYK), and founding members, saw some firsts this year. The meetings, which typically feature presentations, were largely held in a question-and-answer format this time. The relevant ministers answered questions in four separate sessions titled "Security," "Society," "Development," and " Economy ."

On the final day, an evaluation meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in attendance listened to the views, suggestions, and concerns of members of parliament. Erdoğan, in a closed-door meeting, said, "It would be beneficial to share all your thoughts and ask questions. Therefore, you can say and ask anything you want," and then gave the floor to the members of parliament. One of the most important agenda items at the camp was the Terror-Free Turkey process.

BANK COMMISSIONS

Erdoğan, who delivered the message, "Our economic program will continue with the same determination," to parliamentarians who complained about high inflation and interest rates, reportedly instructed Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek to "work on this issue" after being told that the commissions banks charge for credit cards are causing hardship for citizens. Şimşek, who said they could work on the issue, reportedly responded to a parliamentarian's suggestion of a tax amnesty by saying, "We cannot enact such a regulation under these circumstances."

WOMEN'S PROGRAMS

Discussions about women's programs on TV also came up at the meeting. When a member of parliament argued that these programs posed a threat to the family structure and asked what would be done about them, Erdoğan gave the floor to Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç. Ersoy said, "We are monitoring them through Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK). We are issuing the necessary fines. Beyond that, we cannot do anything," while Tunç said, "If anything concerns us, we will take the necessary action." Following the ministers, President Erdoğan reportedly instructed, "The family is our most sensitive issue. That's why we declared this year the year of the family. Be careful about these matters. Pay attention to them, keep them under control."

'I WILL NOT FORGET YOUR COMPLIMENT, CEMAL'

Former Roma MP Cemal Bekle's statement, "The greatest Roma is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan," during a speech in which he described the support provided by Roma citizens and called for more Roma citizens in the bureaucracy, drew laughter from the courtroom. President Erdoğan, laughing, replied to Bekle, "I will not forget this compliment of yours, Cemal."