We are in the middle of a grave economic crisis: CHP

ANKARA

Turkey is in the middle of a very serious economic crisis and its effects have just started to be seen, the main opposition party has said, slamming President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for criticizing the recent decision by the Central Bank on the increase in interest rates.

“We are in the middle of a very serious crisis. We are at the beginning of it, not at the end,” Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) said during his address before the Party Assembly meeting on Sept. 14.

Those who govern the country have to be careful in being open to criticism, in carrying out their jobs in a transparent way and in being checked by the necessary state bodies, Kılıçdaroğlu said.

“At the point where we are at, none of these three are visible. They do not even tolerate our proposals. Who will answer the questions we ask you? Foreign powers?” he said.

Slamming Erdoğan over his critical tone against the Central Bank’s decision to increase interest rate, the CHP leader lashed out at the president for complaining about the independent body’s actions.

“How come you can complaint about it? Is it not you who has been ruling this country for 16 years? Or is it [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel? Or [United States President Donald] Trump? Go and issue a presidential decree and appoint yourself as the head of the Central Bank,” said Kılıçdaroğlu.

The CHP leader argued that Erdoğan has failed to govern this country and its economy and should therefore resign.

“He calls on the people to convert their foreign currencies. Have you [Erdoğan] converted the $15 billion you have on the Isle of Man?” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

Interest rates have tripled in less than nine months and there is no concrete action by the government to respond to the crisis, he said, calling on Erdoğan to respect criticisms, to follow a transparent economic policy and to allow state audit agencies to do their jobs.

Accepting plane as gift from Qatar ‘a shame’

Kılıçdaroğlu also criticized Erdoğan over a luxury private jet gifted to him by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

“He has bought himself an extraordinarily beautiful plane. They say it was a gift from the Qatari emir. I am asking: Mr. Erdoğan, whose plane is this?” the CHP leader said.

“If you have paid for it, it is a shame. But if you have not paid for it and a second hand plane has been gifted to you, then that is an even bigger shame. No one has the right to play with Turkey’s honor. The President of Turkey cannot travel on a gifted plane. I am waiting for an explanation on behalf of 81 million people,” he said.