Turkey's president moves into world's biggest palace costing £384 million Mr Erdogan, who designed much of the White Palace himself, has also taken the precaution of installing an underground bunker. Mehmet Simsek, the Turkish finance minister, said the total cost of the complex amounted to £384 million - twice the earlier estimate. Critics of Mr Erdogan, who won the presidency in August, denounced the project as a folie de grandeur. "The so-called sultan has built this for himself in a country where three million people are without work," said Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the opposition Republican People's party. You cut down hundreds of trees to build yourself this palace. Mr Erdogan served as prime minister for 11 years before ascending to the presidency. Although his AK party does not hold the two thirds majority in parliament required to amend the constitution, his ambition is to turn this traditionally ceremonial post into the new centre of power in Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waits to greet guests (AFP/Getty) Unlike all previous presidents, Mr Erdogan routinely chairs cabinet meetings. He has also spent £115 million on a new presidential jet, designed and supplied by Airbus to his own specification. As for critics of his new palace, Mr Erdogan said: "No one can prevent the completion of this building. If they are powerful enough, let them come and demolish it.