İncirli: We will run public services based on merit, transparency, and accountability

The discussion, held with the participation of the CTP Youth Organization (LDH) delegation, was moderated by LDH Secretary of Political Affairs Hakkı Çinkılıç. During the event, which attracted great interest from young people, İncirli answered questions and outlined the CTP’s governance approach and preparations.

Addressing economy, finance, and public administration, İncirli evaluated the current budget structure and stated that the country is facing a heavy debt burden. Pointing out that the budget they anticipate taking over includes approximately 1 billion dollars in debt, İncirli said, “The real question that needs to be asked is, ‘How was this debt created?'” Sharing the CTP’s economic roadmap, İncirli stated that they will work to restructure debts, extend their maturities, and make them payable without creating new debt burdens. İncirli emphasized that they will not adopt an approach based on cutting citizens’ rights when solving budget problems. Pointing to the deterioration in public order, İncirli said, “Meritless recruitment, inequality of opportunity, and the perception that young people can only get a job if they are close to a political party will be among the first issues we will tackle. We will put productivity at the forefront in the public sector.” Regarding recruitments, İncirli stated: “Our promise to you is this: We will increase efficiency in public services, simplify bureaucracy, and raise the quality of the service provided. We will definitely maintain and audit public services based on merit.”

Emphasizing that the CTP’s economic model is based on production, İncirli said they aim to increase the production of goods and services and reduce the imbalance between imports and exports. “The government we establish will support all kinds of production,” İncirli said, noting that economic development cannot be achieved through incentives alone, but requires lowering costs, increasing efficiency, digitalization, and developing a qualified workforce. Stating that it is important for young entrepreneurs not only to start businesses but also to sustain them, İncirli said they will provide target-oriented support for new ventures. Touching upon injustices in the tax system, İncirli emphasized, “We will be just in taxation,” and stressed that they will not allow businesses to be treated differently based on their political affiliations.

Answering questions regarding the Cyprus issue, İncirli stated that the ongoing unresolved status negatively affects the future of young people in particular. Saying that young people suffer significant losses in terms of freedom of travel, educational opportunities, access to international funds, and business opportunities, İncirli emphasized that the resolution of the Cyprus issue is of great importance for the integration of youth with the world. Expressing their support for President Tufan Erhürman’s efforts towards a solution, İncirli underscored that the CTP’s will regarding the settlement of the Cyprus issue is clear.

Answering questions about maritime and port security following the Filo Jet disaster, Sıla Usar İncirli stated that the incidents revealed serious shortcomings in auditing mechanisms. Emphasizing that maritime transport is of strategic importance for an island country, İncirli stated that they plan to separate port management from the auditing of maritime activities. İncirli said, “We will establish a separate maritime department, a maritime authority. They will carry out these audits.” Stating that audits must be conducted away from political and commercial pressures, İncirli listed maritime and aviation safety, as well as school transport, energy supply security, and water and food safety, among the issues they will prioritize when they come to power.

Touching upon energy policies, İncirli stated that the Cyprus Turkish Electricity Authority (KIB-TEK) has not received the investments it has needed for a long time and has been faced with serious problems. Drawing attention to the quality of fuel used in electricity generation, tender processes, and maintenance deficiencies in power plants, İncirli said that efficiently utilizing the existing production capacity is among their priorities. “We will increase efficiency there by swiftly carrying out the maintenance and repairs of existing facilities,” İncirli said, adding that they will create resources for new investments through transparent fuel procurement and the correct use of public resources. Emphasizing the importance of the transition to renewable energy, İncirli stated that they are carrying out work towards solar energy, energy storage systems, and the development of the grid. She underlined that energy policies must consider not only electricity generation but also the environment and public health.

Regarding health services, İncirli stated that resolving problems in accessing medicines and deficiencies in stock tracking is one of their primary goals. “We will establish a medicine tracking system,” İncirli said, noting that critical medicine shortages will be swiftly addressed and the expiration dates and stock statuses of medicines will be regularly monitored. Stating that they will gradually improve the health system, İncirli conveyed that they aim to strengthen health centers and reduce congestion in hospitals. İncirli also emphasized that regular blood donations should be encouraged, citizens should be made aware, and health services should be run with an institutional understanding. Drawing attention to the importance of using public resources correctly in the health sector, İncirli stated that transparency and auditing in medicine procurement will be strengthened.

Evaluating agricultural and livestock policies, Sıla Usar İncirli drew attention to the importance of youth participating in and sustaining production, stating that they will implement policies that pave the way for young producers, reduce production costs, and strengthen local production. “We will transition to planned agriculture, we will transition to planned animal production,” İncirli said, expressing that a population census must first be conducted for proper planning. Pointing out that young people need to see agriculture and livestock as a sustainable source of livelihood, İncirli emphasized the importance of reducing the high input costs faced by producers and ensuring production finds its economic value. İncirli stated, “We will support young people in participating in and staying in production. We will work for a system where young people participate in production, receive the rewards of their labor, and build their own futures in their own country.”

Finally, İncirli answered a question regarding relations with Turkey. Pointing out the importance of maintaining relations between the two countries on a strong and healthy foundation, İncirli stated that relations should be based on institutional cooperation rather than personal connections, and said, “We will maintain our relations with Turkey on the basis of mutual respect and institutional cooperation. We will work with Turkey on the basis of direct dialogue, mutual respect, and consensus.”