Support from Şamil Tayyar for Yeni Şafak's remarks on Mehmet Şimşek: 'One must underline this...'

The newspaper Yeni Şafak, known for its proximity to the government, directed harsh criticisms at the economic policies implemented by Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek in its headline today. The report drew attention with the statement, “Turkey, which has been struggling with high interest rates for the last 24 months, is under a heavy burden due to orthodox monetary policy.” The newspaper stated that the high-interest policy suppresses production and has failed to achieve the expected success in the fight against inflation.

THERE IS TRUTH IN THE CRITICISMS

Former AKP deputy Şamil Tayyar supported Yeni Şafak's report in a post on his social media account. Stating that there is truth in a significant portion of the criticisms, Tayyar said, “High interest rates are a serious problem, access to credit is a major issue, industrialists are in a difficult situation, and the fight against inflation is faltering.”

“PRODUCERS ARE FUMING”

Tayyar expressed that the difficulties experienced in the economy are being discussed not only in the headlines of some newspapers but in every segment of society. Stating that producers are under great pressure, Tayyar used the expression, “These findings are being discussed in every corner. Producers are fuming.”

Tayyar said that the intensity of the criticisms also increased during a meeting held last week between Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, and a total of seven ministers with the TOBB management. At the meeting, not only the interest rate policy but also TÜİK data and the economic bureaucracy were criticized. Tayyar said, “The ministers were told openly: ‘Either your policy is wrong or the bureaucrats are misdirecting you.’”

Tayyar stated that the producer segment is under many burdens other than high interest rates. He emphasized that attempts to generate resources through tax audits and traffic fines, especially targeting small tradesmen, have caused serious discomfort in the field.

“THE ECONOMY CANNOT BE MANAGED ONLY WITH TABLES”

Drawing attention to another issue he has been voicing for a long time, Tayyar stated that it is wrong for economic policies to be based solely on statistics. Tayyar said, “There are correct aspects, of course, but the social dimension is weak. Economic management conducted with numbers does not meet the reality on the ground.”

Şamil Tayyar's social media post is as follows: 

"I do not know with what motive Yeni Şafak ran this headline.

When we look at the content, although I am not as pessimistic as the newspaper headline like ‘rational collapse,’ I can say that there is truth in a significant portion of the criticisms.

High interest rates are a serious problem, access to credit is a major issue, industrialists are in a difficult situation, and the fight against inflation is faltering.

These findings, even if they are not reflected in some newspaper headlines, are being discussed in every corner; producers are fuming.

Indeed.

When our Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, our Minister of Finance and Treasury Mehmet Şimşek, and 7 ministers met with the TOBB management last week, they were subjected to even heavier criticism.

In addition to the findings above, both TÜİK and the economic bureaucracy became targets.

They told the ministers openly: ‘Either your policy is wrong or the bureaucrats are misdirecting you.’

Furthermore, the attempt to generate resources through traffic fines on every route and tax records at the door of every small tradesman is another subject of criticism.

Another issue I have been voicing for a long time is that, alongside its correct aspects, economic policies are based solely on statistical tables and their social aspect is weak.

But I must underline this:

Success in economic policies cannot be achieved solely with measures in this field; their political, legal, social, and psychological aspects cannot be ignored.

For this, a total struggle is needed."