In the first quarter of the year, economic growth was announced as 7.3 percent. In fact, the day before this announcement, Minister of Finance Nebati had stated that this figure would be around 7 at the 65th Ordinary General Assembly of the Banks Association of Turkey.
Let me just state that the announced 7.3 percent growth figure is a figure to be pleased with. However, as it has been so far, the narrow and fixed-income people, who make up a large part of the society, have not been able to get a significant share from this growth. As always, the financial sector continues to receive the largest share.
While there is much to be said on this matter, the capitalist system has been handed over to mechanisms for money owners to earn. As such, money holders receive the largest share in almost every step taken. Let me state right away that I am not rich or anti-money.
However, the fact that the winners are always domestic and foreign capital owners, whether in the rise or fall of the economy or even when there is an economic crisis, inevitably brings to mind that this system should be considered and some precautions should be taken.
Because there were two groups in society, the rich and the poor. The middle class has been wiped out. However, for many years, we were told that the middle income class keeps the society alive and the middle class is the backbone of the society. In short, it was stated that the increase in the income level of the middle class will show the existence of a balance in the income distribution in the society.
However, it has finally come to a point where domestic and foreign capital drives the world economy. In short, a society consisting of a handful of rich and 80 percent of the poor emerged. As such, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to ensure peace in the society and the poor not to have an eye on the wealth of the rich. In this respect, even peace in the society depends on the elimination of the gap in income distribution.
Because we live in such a world that we are closely related to all countries. When we go to touristic areas, we see that retirees from various corners of the world stay in our country on holiday. This is a good situation, but if our own people do not have the same opportunity, let alone going on vacation to Japan for a week, they will go from Ankara to Istanbul; If the country does not have the opportunity to take a vacation, is it possible to talk about justice in the distribution of income and ensuring a balance between the segments of the society?
Because in our country, retirees from Europe can come to Turkey for a holiday, while the masses with narrow and fixed incomes, especially the retirees, are struggling with their livelihoods. In fact, it is possible to see not only European retirees but also Japanese retirees in many corners of our country.
Of course, we are glad that foreigners prefer our country for their holidays. However, if my pensioner is destined to live with a monthly salary starting from 2,500 liras under today's conditions, then my country becomes uninhabitable for our people, but if it turns into a holiday paradise for foreigners, then our country is in a complete economic stalemate no matter how much praise is poured on this economy. It is not possible to hide the drift.
Because first of all, my citizen should benefit from the opportunities of the country. If Turkey is too expensive for its own citizens and too cheap for foreigners, a solution to this distortion must be found with more than just words. Otherwise, the goals of our people towards other countries will continue to increase. In particular, the 7.3 percent growth announced for the first quarter of the year will have no meaning for our people. Because this growth only benefits those who have money.