25 Billion Amendment Package Passes Parliament

The package was approved in the second round of voting, and will now go to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. If Sezer approves the package, it will become law. Sezer can also veto the package, which will force a national referendum on the amendments.

The controversial deforested land sales amendment is projected to bring the government an extra $25 billion in revenue. According to some businessmen supporting the amendment, the profit will exceed the government’s projection. Istanbul Chamber of Commerce President Mehmet Yildirim said he believes that if deforested land is sold in conjunction with a zoning infractions amnesty program, the income could reach $50 billion. Ahmet Nazif Zorlu, owner of Zorlu Holding, says, “People buying land legally pay taxes. But taxes cannot be collected from squatters".

Suleyman Kurt, Gurhan Savgi / Ankara / TURKEY