Erdoğan: I do not interfere with Mehmet Şimşek; he makes his own decisions

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presided over the MKYK meeting where the AKP's local election efforts officially began. 

Erdoğan stated, “None of us, including myself, should prioritize personal interests. Such a thing should not exist in our party. Our cause is superior to personal interests and everything else. We are starting the election campaign” he said. 

“I DO NOT INTERFERE WITH MR. MEHMET”

According to the report by Ebru Karatosun from Hürriyet; during the meeting, an MKYK member stated that there has been the highest citrus harvest in the last 30 years, but that costs have risen significantly and support is needed. Upon this, President Erdoğan said, “Where is Mr. Mehmet? I do not interfere with Mr. Mehmet; he makes his own decisions,” and left the floor to Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek. It was learned that Mehmet Şimşek stated that support has been provided to producers regarding citrus for many years and said, “We will do our best again, but a regulation must be made regarding this.”

President Erdoğan, who is known to be against high interest rates, has been the subject of debate regarding whether he interferes with Treasury Minister Şimşek, who has supported interest rate hikes since taking office. Most recently, it was alleged that Erdoğan had warned Şimşek when the policy rate was raised to 40 percent. The Presidency, however, had denied this claim.

Furthermore, it was stated that President Erdoğan will take steps to launch a new diplomatic initiative for Gaza. In this regard, it was reported that a new roadmap will be drawn up based on the outcome of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting that President Erdoğan will attend on Saturday. Additionally, it was noted that work is underway to file a case at the International Criminal Court to have Israel declared a war criminal.

News Source: 12punto