Turkish PM Davutoğlu tells Central Bank head presidential briefings may also be beneficial

ANKARA - Doğan News Agency

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has told Central Bank head Erdem Başçı that briefings to the presidency, in addition to those given to the cabinet and the prime minister, could be beneficial in the future. Başçı has responded by indicating his openness to the idea.

“The Central Bank is obliged to brief the cabinet twice a year by law. If something unexpected happens, we must also explain the situation to our prime minister by making an appointment. After the European Central Bank announced its bond-buying program on Jan. 22, I asked for an appointment with our prime minister immediately. I and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu met in Davos last week to talk about the issue. The prime minister also said it would be beneficial to give such briefings to the president as well. This was done in the past,” Başçı said, speaking at an inflation report presentation meeting Jan. 27.

He added that the Central Bank is "always prepared to take this step."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently reiterated his long-running criticism of the Central Bank for not reducing rates despite a sharp decrease in oil prices, vowing to Başçı on the issue in person on Jan. 16, just before a slight rate cut was announced by the Central Bank on Jan. 22.