United Retirees Union marches to Ankara for 2027 budget demands

Members of the United Retirees Union have launched a march from Izmir to Ankara to demand economic reforms and improved living conditions ahead of the 2027 budget negotiations. Protesters are calling for the upcoming budget to guarantee the right to life for retirees, emphasizing that pension benefits should cover essential needs such as health, housing, nutrition, and social participation.

In Kartal, demonstrators held a protest where they criticized government economic policies, stating that retirees should not bear the cost of corruption or economic crises. Union representatives emphasized that retirement should be a period of dignity and social welfare rather than a descent into poverty. The movement seeks to bring these demands directly to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, arguing that adequate social security is a requirement of a social state rather than a form of charity.