Eyes turn back to new government as G-20 ends

The excitement about a new government that restarted after the Nov. 1 elections has given way to international meetings because of the G-20 Summit. Following the completion of the summit and with the new deputies taking their oaths on Nov. 17, eyes have now turned once more to political developments. Now is the time for the new cabinet that is expected to be formed soon. 

With the new cabinet, we will inevitably start discussing whether the government is dominated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan or Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. Interpretations will be made looking at which names are in the cabinet and appointed to which positions.  

Then will come the government program. We have started receiving some clues, especially on economic topics that will be included in the program, but it would be better to wait for the clarification of the program for the political and economic agenda.  

Meanwhile, we are expecting new debates to start on constitutional changes and the presidential system. We know that Davutoğlu has said the priority was now the constitution, but first pledges will be met in an attempt to re-establish confidence among social segments. On the other hand, there is speculation in the corridors and backstage that Erdoğan wants the presidential system and the constitutional change to be prioritized. Maybe we will not be able to see this in the government program clearly, but we can say that this discussion will be on the political agenda for a long time in the next term. 

Of course, according to the names included in the cabinet list, there will be discussions as to whether these names are in line with Davutoğlu’s desire for a reformist government. Particularly the ministers who will be in charge of economic management are important in this sense. 

Meanwhile, those words of Davutoğlu that the “economy will also be affiliated to the prime ministry” and that “there will be a separate deputy prime minister position in charge of monitoring the reforms,” were seen as a sign in advance that names close to Erdoğan will be part of the economic management. Also, the fact that Erdoğan included names as Binali Yıldırım and Berat Albayrak in his team at the G-20 summit has prompted several guesses about the new cabinet. 

Intense economic agenda 

Meanwhile, in the new government program that is about to be written, it is definite that the economy will be pre-eminent. Davutoğlu said they would announce a 100-day action plan and that pledges will start being met by the beginning of the new year. In this context, a calendar is expected to be announced for major infrastructure investments. 

It is known that the government wants, with the support of the opposition, to see the 2016 budget draft that was presented on Oct. 17 sent through parliament in a short period of time, ensuring that it is implemented by the new year. However, for the parliamentary commissions to be formed and also for the budget calendar to be condensed, the support of the opposition is required.   

If the support of the opposition is not forthcoming, then the fulfillment of the promises and the implementation of the new program targets in the economy could be delayed.
 
In short, we will experience an era in which the economy will be debated intensely in parliament.