A notable visit from the government: Is the ice melting between TÜSİAD and the AKP?
TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan, who criticized the government at the general assembly, had been taken to give a statement under police escort and was issued a travel ban. Following that process, a notable visit from the AKP has now taken place.
12punto
TÜSİAD (Turkish Industry and Business Association), one of Turkey's leading business organizations, made a significant impact with its remarks at its General Assembly held in February 2025.
During the meeting, the association criticized both the government's policies and interventions in the judiciary, delivering clear messages regarding arrests, the appointment of trustees, and the lieutenants dismissed from the army. These statements made by TÜSİAD drew the attention of the government front.
Following the criticisms, TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan and High Advisory Council President Mehmet Ömer Aras were summoned to the prosecutor's office under police escort. After giving their statements at the prosecutor's office, both individuals were released with a travel ban imposed.
ERDOĞAN HAD REACTED HARSHLY
The most notable of the harsh messages from the government wing toward TÜSİAD came in a statement made by President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on February 19, 2025. Describing TÜSİAD as those who "long for the old Turkey," Erdoğan had used the following expressions:
"You may have had your way for years in the dark and chaotic climate of the old Turkey. You may be longing for the old Turkey where you were kept outside the scope of the law, but in the new Turkey, you will know your place.
If you are a business association, you will learn to behave like a business association. You will not incite the nation, you will not provoke state institutions, and you will not attempt to put pressure on the judiciary."
TÜSİAD AND THE GOVERNMENT HAVE COME TOGETHER AGAIN
While it was assessed in the public eye that a rift had occurred between TÜSİAD and the government following these harsh remarks, a surprise development took place today.
AKP Deputy Chairman responsible for Economic Affairs Nihat Zeybekci visited TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan at his office. Following the visit, Turan shared the meeting on his social media account and used the following expressions:
"We came together with AK Party Deputy Chairman and Head of Economic Affairs Mr. Nihat Zeybekci. I thank him for his kind visit."