Erdogan’s AKP postpones bill to impose credit card fees to support Turkey’s defense
Plans to collect credit card fees in a bid to boost the defense industry are put on hold after a public backlash.
ANKARA — Amid growing public criticism, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party postponed plans on Tuesday to impose an annual fee to support Turkey’s defense industry on those whose credit card limits exceed a certain amount.
Under an omnibus bill that was submitted to Turkish parliament by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Friday, the government planned to impose an annual fee of 750 liras (roughly $22), which would be charged to credit card holders whose credit card limits exceeded 100,000 liras (roughly $2,918), to support the Defense Industry Support Fund.
The plan prompted widespread criticism.
“Some of our citizens have raised objections,” AKP lawmaker Abdullah Guler told reporters. “We will conduct a more detailed review of our proposal to examine these concerns.”
