Turkish Central Bank governor rules out resignation

ANKARA

Central Bank Gov. Erdem Başçı has put an end to resignation rumors that have been circulating amid political tension, just as a columnist from a pro-government newspaper has been appointed to Supervisory Board of the bank.

“Don’t give credit for and don’t believe in the rumors except official statements,” Başçı said yesterday, answering questions from reporters in the General Assembly. “And don’t expect a [answer] for each rumor because we can’t handle that … We are doing our duty,” he said.

Rumors of Başçı’s possible resignation or a major reshuffle in the Central Bank have been circulating, especially after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan publicly opposed the Central Bank’s high interest rate policy.

The bank’s assembly this year was under particular interest as markets were looking for signs of political meddling.

Amid the tension, Mehmet Ziya Gökalp, an economist and columnist for pro-government daily Yeni Şafak, was selected to replace Supervisory Board member Hasan Türedi, whose term had expired.