PM Üstel: Eliminating 13th Salary and Freezing Cost-of-Living Adjustments Not on Agenda

Highlighting recent fuel price hikes, Üstel said the government is striving to protect citizens from the economic impact of the ongoing Iran conflict. “We do not know when the war will end, but we are working hard to prevent our people from being burdened by price increases. This is a critical period,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted that fuel prices had remained unchanged for nearly two years. He explained that the first projected increase was 2.5 TL, but after recalculations it reached 6 TL. “We cannot claim that fuel price hikes have stopped. If the war ends, prices will stabilize, but if it continues, how can they be frozen?” Üstel asked. He added that electricity price increases are not currently on the agenda but may be considered if the conflict persists.

13th Salary and Cost-of-Living Allowance Not on Agenda

Üstel reiterated that the government has never considered eliminating the 13th salary or freezing cost-of-living adjustments. “This administration has already made history by providing three cost-of-living increases in one year. We have no regrets,” he said, emphasizing that continued conflict in the Middle East could make price adjustments inevitable.

Ad-Hoc Committee to Address Salary Balance Next Week

The Prime Minister announced that the “Ad-Hoc Committee on Ensuring Balance Among Salaries” will convene next week. “All preparations have been made, and we will start discussions in the coming week,” he said.

Election Date Confirmed: January 2027

Üstel confirmed that the next general election is scheduled for January 2027, dismissing concerns about consecutive elections. “UBP has never suffered a significant defeat, and there is democracy within our party. We do not want to push the country toward early elections. Next month, we will sign a protocol with Turkey and approve a 26 billion TL budget. Our priority is serving our country,” he stated.

Digital Transformation and e-Government

Addressing e-Government initiatives, Üstel said Tapu Dairesi (Land Registry) is the priority, with full digital implementation expected by year-end. Other sectors will follow gradually, with inter-agency integration being actively pursued.

Fiber Optic Infrastructure and Data Security

Üstel highlighted that fiber optic infrastructure and data security are now strategic national security matters. Under a protocol with Turkey, data security will be guaranteed, ensuring that foreign companies do not control critical communications networks. “This project will provide both security and faster, more affordable internet,” he said, noting that the protocol can be updated as necessary and implementation gaps will be addressed.

Corruption Allegations

On allegations of corruption, Üstel stressed that judicial processes must be respected. “Courts will determine whether an individual is guilty. We adhere to the rule of law,” he said, dismissing claims related to a voice recording as “baseless and fabricated,” noting that the matter is already before the courts.

Healthcare Digitalization

The Prime Minister reported significant progress in digitalizing healthcare services. Hospitals now have systems that allow doctors to see real-time medication stock levels and write prescriptions accordingly. Appointment scheduling and health records are now integrated into the e-Government platform, improving service efficiency and reducing patient inconvenience.

Hospital Construction Delays

Üstel explained that delays in new hospital projects in Girne, Alsancak, and Lapta were due to legal and expropriation processes rather than technical issues. He confirmed that most obstacles have been resolved and construction is proceeding.

National Security Assurance

Reassuring the public, Üstel said, “The people of Northern Cyprus can rest easy. The Turkish Republic guarantees the security of the region. F-16 jets, warships, and air defense systems are present here. We do not need the European Union’s protection; our motherland is sufficient.”

Response to Check Allegations

Responding to claims by CTP MP Devrim Barçın regarding alleged 50,000 TL checks given as household aid, Üstel firmly stated, “We do not rely on trolls. Bring me one check, and I will resign. There is no such check, and I have no 50,000 TL check.”