Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan used a Friday evening national television address to outline a sweeping reform of Türkiye's social security system, arguing that the existing arrangement had long favored government bureaucrats and public-sector workers over ordinary citizens. The new framework, he said, treats all citizens of Türkiye on equal footing.
Erdogan acknowledged that reforming entitlements carries political risk but insisted the package reflects the country's actual economic conditions. A higher retirement age included in the legislation will not take effect for 30 years, and the target age is set at 65, not 68 as some earlier reports had suggested.
The prime minister also emphasized fiscal responsibility, stating that Türkiye meets its debt obligations on time, whether the creditor is the International Monetary Fund or any other institution. He linked financial stability directly to the country's ability to pursue independent national policies.
On foreign affairs, Erdogan described Türkiye's relationship with the United States as grounded in more than 50 years of shared values and common interests. He also pledged that his government would prevent terrorism from gaining ground while working to make Türkiye more democratic, prosperous, and free.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in April 2006, in its own words.