Erdogan Expands Clout Over Central Bank, as He Promised
Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan moved to cement his control over the economy, claiming the exclusive power to appoint central bank rate-setters a day after naming his son-in-law to oversee economic policy.
The moves complete a years-long process that saw members of his investor-friendly A-team removed from the government one-by-one, increasingly rattling markets. The lira plunged on Monday by the most since a failed coup attempt two years ago and is down by 19 percent against the dollar so far this year.
Id have expected Erdogan to have learned the bitter cost of messing with markets, Atilla Yesilada, economist at GlobalSource Partners in Istanbul, said in an emailed report. Apparently, he does think that with his new powers he can best the markets.
Erdogan was sworn in Monday for a five-year term as president with enhanced powers after winning re-election under an amended constitution, setting the stage for him to follow through on a pre-vote promise to take more direct control over monetary policy. The 64-year-old leader has repeatedly clashed with the central bank over borrowing costs that he is determined to keep low under almost all circumstances.
He formalized his increased powers over top appointments at the bank with a decree on Tuesday. Turkeys largest business association, Tusiad, which has been urging the government to respect the rule of law and independence of institutions, cautioned that central bank autonomy is very important for a strong Turkish economy.
It isnt clear how the central bank will respond to price gains running more than triple the official target at its next monetary policy meeting on July 24.
Key is independence from influence and ability to do what is needed. Given the tough decisions needed to be taken, with the new cabinet and changes with decrees, that ability may have been impaired, especially on increasing interest rates to control inflation, according to Michel Danechi, a portfolio manager at Vedra Partners Limited in London.
The decree, one of the first three after Turkey officially shifted its governance system to an executive presidency, was published in the Official Gazette. It didnt include any reference to other members of the cabinet in appointing the central bank chief, who used to be named jointly by the president, prime minister and a deputy prime minister in a decree signed off by the entire cabinet.
The order followed his appointment of Berat Albayrak, a son-in-law and former energy minister who entered parliament for the first time in 2015, to run a new ministry of treasury and finance, combining what used to be the two most powerful economic jobs. Hell replace Mehmet Simsek, a former Merrill Lynch executive and the last man standing from a group of politicians whove been trusted by investors over the years to rein in the presidents go-for-growth instincts and keep Turkeys $880 billion economy on a sustainable path.
There was no job for Simsek in the downsized cabinet of 16 ministries.
From now on, budget and fiscal discipline will be maintained in a better way, Albayrak said as he took office on Tuesday.
Read: Turkey Strips Government of Role in Naming Central Bank Chief
The lira erased its earlier gains after the report and was trading 0.9 percent higher at 4.6910 per dollar at 4:33 p.m. in Istanbul. The currency depreciated more than 3 percent after Albayraks appointment on Monday.
The currencys slide is not good news for Turkeys indebted corporations, which have borrowed heavily in hard currency and now face ballooning foreign-exchange liabilities. The difference between the corporate sectors foreign liabilities and assets is at near record $221 billion as of end April.
For more on the cabinet, read: Erdogan Stokes Investor Unease With Son-in-Law as Economy Czar
Erdogan named Fuat Oktay, formerly a senior official at the prime ministers office, as his vice president and kept Mevlut Cavusoglu in place as foreign minister. Hulusi Akar, the chief of staff who was held hostage during the night of the coup attempt against Erdogan, was named as defense minister. Mustafa Varank, an Erdogan aide, will be in charge of industry and technology.
During the snap election campaign, Erdogan told Turks that the new presidential system would ensure stability in turbulent times at home and abroad.
After the unsuccessful putsch, authorities began a sweeping purge of the civil service, judiciary, security forces and education system, arguing that supporters of the coup attempt were being rooted out. Thousands more officials were fired from government jobs on Sunday, bringing the total to about 130,000. Turkey has also become more deeply embroiled in the civil war in neighboring Syria, as Erdogan sent his army into the countrys northwest to fight Kurdish militants.
With assistance by Constantine Courcoulas, Tugce Ozsoy, and Asli Kandemir
(Updates with remarks from finance and treasury minister in 11th paragraph.)
More here:
Erdogan Expands Clout Over Central Bank, as He Promised
- Is Erdogan really the big winner in Syria? - Kathimerini English Edition - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- VOA Kurdish: Erdogan will renegotiate relationship with Trump administration - VOA Asia - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Israel attacks Syrian forces shortly after Turkey's Erdogan calls for end to 'aggression' - Middle East Eye - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Israel rebuffs imperialist Turkey after Erdogan says it must withdraw from Syria - The Times of Israel - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan defies foreign powers in Syria and demands an end to their intervention - Atalayar EN - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Israeli government must not be allowed to violate ceasefire: Turkiye President Erdogan - Middle East Monitor - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan expects talks with Putin on gas for Slovakia - - - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Lukashenko expressed condolences to Erdogan over numerous victims of a resort fire - - - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan says Turkey ready to intervene to prevent any division of Syria - Al Arabiya English - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- History will confirm Trkiye's righteous stance on Gaza: President Erdogan - Anadolu Agency | English - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- President Erdogan is my friend and someone I respect: Trump - Trkiye Today - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Turkey ready to act if Syrias territorial integrity is threatened - Public Radio of Armenia - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan urges citizens to boycott overpriced food amid falling inflation in Trkiye - Trkiye Today - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan's dream and Syria..., Is Turkey planning to attack Israel? Netanyahu asked to... - India.com - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan favors allowing Syrian refugees to remain in Turkey due to political and economic considerations - Nordic Research and Monitoring Network - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Kurdish PM Barzani with Turkiyes Erdogan: Syria situation on the table - Shafaq News - Shafaq News - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan: We defeated ISIS, which tried to be reactivated - baha news - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Trkiye ready to intervene to prevent any division of Syria: Erdogan - Trkiye Today - January 7th, 2025 [January 7th, 2025]
- Erdogan to visit Syria at the head of a large delegation - Mehr News Agency - English Version - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Ankara will have a hand in drafting Syria's new constitution: Erdogan - The Cradle - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Turkeys Erdogan urges Assad to engage rebels as Fidan readies for talks with Iran, Russia - Al-Monitor - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Erdogan Calls For More Diplomacy In Talks With Putin On Revived Conflict In Syria - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Erdogan aims for repatriation of Syrian refugees in Turkey - InfoMigrants - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Erdogan says Turkey ready to help with ceasefire in Gaza - Reuters - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Erdogan: Turkey ready to contribute to 'permanent ceasefire' in Gaza - Al-Monitor - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Turkey's Erdogan Backed Syrian Rebels To Launch Offensive Against Assad Regime In Aleppo, Says Report - The Times of India - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Erdogan says Turkey ready to help with ceasefire in Gaza - Yahoo! Voices - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Erdogan calls for comprehensive reform of United Nations - Mehr News Agency - English Version - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- ISTANBUL BLOG: How Ankaras American embassy came to stand on Ataturk land illegally granted by Erdogan - bne IntelliNews - November 30th, 2024 [November 30th, 2024]
- Merkel defends 'golden throne' picture with Erdogan in her new book - Middle East Eye - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- Erdogan calls ICC arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant courageous - The Times of Israel - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- Rutte to discuss Russia's war against Ukraine with Erdogan - media - Ukrinform - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- Western civilization will collapse one day, Erdogan says - Trkiye Today - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- Enforcing ICC arrest warrants key to restoring trust in intl. system, says Turkeys Erdogan - Press TV - November 26th, 2024 [November 26th, 2024]
- Erdogan admits to barring Herzogs flight to COP29 from using Turkish airspace - The Times of Israel - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Erdogan Pledges Minimum Wage Hike Will Outpace Inflation in 2025 - Bloomberg - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Harlem Eubank vs. Nurali Erdogan: Quotes and Fight Prediction - Big Fight Weekend - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Erdogan admits to blocking Herzogs flight to COP29 from using Turkish airspace - The Times of Israel - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Erdogan boasts Turkey blocked Herzog's plane from airspace: 'We take a stand' - Ynetnews - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Harlem Eubank vs. Nurali Erdogan: What time is the fight? What channel is it on? - Boxing News - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Erdogan Boasts After Israeli President Forced To Cancel COP29 Participation; 'Didn't Allow Him To...' - MSN - November 21st, 2024 [November 21st, 2024]
- Putin-Erdogan area | Regime soldier killed by Al-Fath Al-Mubin factions and shelling targets towns and villages in countryside of Aleppo and Idlib - - November 17th, 2024 [November 17th, 2024]
- President Erdogan to attend G-20 Summit in Brazil - Trkiye Today - November 17th, 2024 [November 17th, 2024]
- Turkey's Erdogan wants to work with Elon Musk on tech initiatives - Middle East Eye - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Erdogan has become the enemy, and its time to deal with him - Israel Hayom - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Erdogan: Turkiye severed all ties with Israel - Middle East Monitor - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Turkiye is ready to cooperate with Elon Musk on technology, Erdogan said - Middle East Monitor - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Erdogan claims Turkey has 'severed ties with Israel' - Ynetnews - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Erdogan says Turkey and Elon Musk could work together on tech - bne IntelliNews - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Erdogan Says Turkey Breaking Ties With Israel - Newsmax - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Erdogan announces Turkeys severance of all ties with Israel - Press TV - November 16th, 2024 [November 16th, 2024]
- Turkish President Erdogan will participate in COP29 in Baku - News.Az - November 4th, 2024 [November 4th, 2024]
- Erdogan Vows to Eradicate Terrorist Threats After Recent Attack in Ankara - AL24 News - November 4th, 2024 [November 4th, 2024]
- What lies behind Turkey's ties with Russia and bid to join BRICS? - Reuters - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Fethullah Gulen, Muslim cleric and target of Turkeys Erdogan, is dead - The Washington Post - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Erdogan asks Putin to encourage al-Assad to normalize relations with Turkey - Enab Baladi - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Erdogan ally makes offer to jailed PKK leader Ocalan to end conflict - Reuters - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Erdogan; From Trump-like lies to ongoing trade with Israel through third countries - Tehran Times - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Erdogan says Turkey determined to pursue BRICS dialogue - The Hindu - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Turkish cleric Gulen, accused of orchestrating coup against Erdogan, dies in US at 83 - The Times of Israel - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Erdogan government reintroduces controversial law to silence critics by labeling them as spies - Nordic Research and Monitoring Network - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Moscow is willing to work toward 'ceasefire' in Ukraine - Turkish President Erdogan - The New Voice of Ukraine - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Scholz, Erdogan clash over Mideast war as they progress on sale of fighter jets - The Times of Israel - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Fethullah Glen, the Turkish Cleric and Erdogan Rival, Dies - TIME - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Turkeys main opposition CHP is in cahoots with President Erdogan and his allies - Nordic Research and Monitoring Network - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- US-based Muslim cleric and Erdogan foe Fethullah Gulen dies at 83, Turkish TV says - The Times of Israel - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- Enhancing economic ties and addressing regional concerns: Barzani and Erdogan discuss cooperation - Shafaq News - Shafaq News - October 16th, 2024 [October 16th, 2024]
- Erdogan and Putins talks: Turkeys future in BRICS - News.Az - October 16th, 2024 [October 16th, 2024]
- Amid booming trade ties, Erdogan warns of Israeli attack on Turkiye - The Cradle - October 14th, 2024 [October 14th, 2024]
- Herzog responds to Erdogan: Israel has never had any plans against Turkey - The Times of Israel - October 14th, 2024 [October 14th, 2024]
- Erdogan calls on the world to stand against Israeli state terrorism - Middle East Monitor - October 14th, 2024 [October 14th, 2024]
- Erdogan Says Turkey To Curb Crime After Wave Of Murders - Barron's - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Erdogan Says On Gaza War Anniversary That Israel Will Pay Price For 'Genocide' - Barron's - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Erdogan Accuses Israel of Intending to Invade Turkey - Foundation for Defense of Democracies - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Erdogan accuses Israel of wanting to wage war on Turkey despite robust trade ties - Al-Monitor - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Erdogan warns of Zionist lobbys influence over leading universities - Middle East Monitor - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Israel is a Zionist terrorist organization: President Erdogan - Trkiye Today - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Erdogan govt aware of ISIS financiers in Turkey, took years to act - Nordic Research and Monitoring Network - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Putin and Erdogan agree to meet at BRICS summit - Eurasia Business News - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]
- Zionist terrorist organization: Erdogan says Israels promised land delusion will fail - Roya News English - October 9th, 2024 [October 9th, 2024]