Two different decisions in the 'request for relief from duty' for Berat Albayrak and Hafize Gaye Erkan! That detail in the Official Gazette drew attention...

Hafize Gaye Erkan, Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (TCMB), who has been on the agenda recently due to allegations made about her family, left her seat by requesting to be 'relieved of her duties'.

Making a statement after Erkan's resignation, Mehmet Şimşek said, "The decision taken by the former Governor of the Central Bank, Ms. Hafize Gaye Erkan, is entirely personal and at her own discretion. I respect this decision she has made and thank her for the valuable services and contributions she has provided to our country. I wish success to the newly appointed Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey and his team, in line with my recommendation."

With Erkan's departure from her post, Deputy Governor Fatih Karahan was appointed as the Governor of the TCMB.

IT WAS WRITTEN IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE THAT SHE WAS 'REMOVED FROM OFFICE'

The decision regarding the appointment of Fatih Karahan as the Governor of the TCMB, signed by AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was published in the Official Gazette.

However, the decision published with Erdoğan's signature included the statement that Gaye Erkan was removed from office.

The decision stated that TCMB Governor Hafize Gaye Erkan was removed from office in accordance with Article 35 of the Decree-Law No. 375 and Article 2 of the Presidential Decree No. 3.

When Minister of Treasury and Finance Berat Albayrak requested to be relieved of his duties between 2018 and 2020, the Official Gazette included the phrases "Berat Albayrak, who requested to be relieved of his duties and whose request for relief from duty was accepted," and Lütfi Elvan was appointed in Albayrak's place.

THE PHRASE 'REQUESTED TO BE RELIEVED OF DUTY' WAS ALSO USED FOR ZİYA SELÇUK

Similarly, when Ziya Selçuk, who was the Minister of National Education between 2018 and 2021, requested to be relieved of his duties, the phrases "Prof. Dr. Ziya Selçuk, who requested to be relieved of his duties and whose request for relief from duty was accepted" were used, and Prof. Dr. Mahmut Özer was appointed in Selçuk's place.

SHE WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE A SALARY FOR TWO MORE YEARS

The terms of office for Central Bank governors are set at four years in Presidential Decree No. 3 regarding the appointment of high-level public administrators. However, according to Article 35 of Decree-Law No. 375, they can be removed from this position if their performance is not deemed sufficient, as the term used in the Decree-Law suggests. After being removed from office, it is possible for them to continue receiving their former salaries for two years, again according to this Article 35 of Decree-Law No. 375.