Candidacy before the 3-year period expires: Path to a position at BİM for former AKP minister

Bekir Pakdemirli, who served as the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry between 2018 and 2022, was required by legislation to wait three years after leaving public office before taking a position in a company related to the sector. However, in a recent notification made by BİM to the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP), it was announced that Pakdemirli has been nominated for an independent board membership.

According to the statement sent to KAP, following a decision by the company's management, Karl-Heinz Holland was also nominated for an independent board membership alongside Pakdemirli. The candidacy of both individuals will be submitted for approval at the 2025 Ordinary General Assembly to be held on May 5, 2026, based on the approval granted by the Capital Markets Board on March 4, 2026.

According to the report in Sözcü, previous news in 2024 indicated that this appointment caused controversy as it was made while there were still a few months left to complete the legal three-year waiting period. The new statement made by the company has created new questions in the public eye regarding whether Pakdemirli's appointment process complies with the legislation.

No official statement has been made on the matter yet. However, according to the relevant legislation, a former minister who has left office is subject to a three-year waiting period before they can take a position in private sector companies with similar fields of activity.