HÜDA PAR Deputy Chairman and Gaziantep MP Şahzade Demir held a press conference at the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, where he discussed various domestic and foreign issues, including the Kurdish issue, pensions, interest policy, and the Israeli regime's attacks on Yemen.

Demir spoke critically about the unresolved Kurdish issue, attributing its persistence to historical policies of denial and assimilation. He argued that despite some progress over the last two decades, the problem remains mired in political extremes, with one side viewing it solely through the lens of terrorism, while others exploit it for ideological gain.

"The Kurdish issue must be resolved on the basis of rights and justice," Demir stated, emphasizing the need for solutions rooted in equal citizenship and constitutional guarantees to foster social unity and address past grievances.

On the economic front, Demir highlighted the inadequacy of current pension rates, noting that even with a declared "year of pensioners" in 2024, retirees still struggle to meet basic needs. "Pensions are insufficient to meet the basic needs of citizens," he said, urging for radical and comprehensive reforms to improve retiree living standards.

Regarding economic policy, Demir criticized the ongoing high interest rates, describing the Central Bank's recent reduction from 50% to 47.5% as a positive yet insufficient move. He stressed that high interest rates deter investment and production, pointing to a 35.44% increase in TL deposit accounts alongside a 3.1% drop in industrial production as evidence of economic policy misalignment. "Policies based on interest and foreign exchange dependency should be abandoned," he insisted, advocating for strategies focused on enhancing production, value-added products, and equitable income distribution.

Turning to international affairs, Demir condemned Israeli terrorist regime for its attacks on Yemen, accusing them of violating international law. He criticized the lack of significant response from international bodies and the Islamic world to these actions. "Immediate de facto action must be taken against the Israeli genocidal regime and its financiers," he declared, calling for a comprehensive embargo and joint intervention by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to end the occupation in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.

Demir concluded by praising the resilience of the Yemeni people in the face of aggression, warning that regional silence could lead to further spread of conflict. His statements reflect HÜDA PAR's stance on both domestic policy reform and international solidarity against injustices. (ILKHA)