Denktaş: Government Borrowing Is Illegal

Speaking on a television programme, Denktaş, chairman of the Social Justice and Struggle Party (TAM Party), said public finances were no longer sustainable and that reforms were urgently needed.

He claimed that borrowing by the government beyond the duration of its remaining term was illegal and said the Audit Office should immediately begin examining the matter.

Denktaş stated that if municipalities and ministries intend to borrow for periods longer than their remaining term in office, they must obtain approval from the Council of Ministers, while the government itself must seek authorisation from parliament if it plans to borrow beyond its own remaining mandate.

“The government is paying salaries with borrowed money and trying to cover debt with more debt,” he said.

“Moreover, since it is borrowing for a period longer than its own term in office, it must also obtain authorisation from parliament. I believe they have not done this, and these borrowings are למעשה illegal. The Audit Office should urgently investigate.”

He argued that the current government was acting with the intention of leaving repayment of these debts to the next administration, adding that ordinary citizens would ultimately bear the cost.

Market Prices Must Be Reduced

Denktaş said reducing market prices should be the most urgent step to be taken.

He argued that the belief that withdrawing funds would create a loss of revenue was mistaken, saying that on the contrary, it would serve as a serious revenue-increasing measure.

“We already have a prepared public finance reform bill before us. We must implement it. Of course, this can only happen with politicians who have gained public trust that they are capable of carrying out reform. It cannot happen with the mentality of the current government,” he said.

He also claimed that problems with very simple solutions had become unsolvable because of the current approach and bureaucratic obstacles, adding that the lack of a proper system had spread to every area.

Ban On Entry To Turkey Must Be Lifted

Referring to the case of academic Prof. Dr. Senih Çavuşoğlu being denied entry to Turkey and placed on a restricted list, Denktaş said no Turkish Cypriot posed a threat to Turkey and that Turkish Cypriots could not have a problem with the people of Turkey.

“This practice brings no benefit to our citizens in terms of their relations with Turkey. It is very wrong for such bans to exist simply because we may have differences of opinion. We hope this practice will be lifted as soon as possible,” he said.