Turkish Deputy PM confirms ‘bypass’ in new draft law

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

Before flying to Mexico for the G-20 meeting, Babacan commented on the draft law, which the Turkish media had claimed was prepared without his previous knowledge. Babacan said Turkish government officials called him to apologize on the misunderstanding.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan said yesterday that a new regulation regarding a change in terms of office for public figures was just a move by some officials at the Prime Ministry to fill what they perceived was a gap in the law, and that the officials in question had apologized to him.

“The officials called me and apologized many times,” said Babacan, responding to a Hürriyet Daily News question as to what he thinks of media reports claiming that some parliamentarians from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) had bypassed Babacan’s authority by introducing a draft law without his knowledge.

“My colleagues told me that such a thing would never be repeated,” said Babacan, speaking at Atatürk International Airport in Istanbul ahead of his flight to Mexico for the G-20 meeting.

Previously, Babacan had told the press that he was not aware of the draft law.

‘Colleagues apologized’
The draft law authorizing the Turkish government to extend the terms of office of both the head of the Saving Deposits Insurance Fund (TMSF) and the Turkish Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) was signed by Nurettin Canikli, the group deputy chairman of the ruling AKP.

“Our colleagues said they considered the draft law a technical issue. They said theyare sorry about that,” said Babacan, responding to the question.

Noting that the minister met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Feb. 22 to exchange ideas on the issue, Babacan said, “Public authorities will be limited to two terms in office, for five years each.”

The term of office of the members and the head of BDDK and TMSF will be reduced to five years from current six years said Babacan, adding that they could be assigned for another five year term for the second time.

Speaking on the Eurozone crisis, Babacan said, “The European economy is going through a hard time and many countries need to take measures and make new reforms,” noting that the Turkish government remains hopeful about the developments, as the current economic situation is not yet “irrecoverable.”