The behind-the-scenes of the Mehmet Şimşek ‘crisis’ revealed: ‘I’ve said what I had to say…’

Researcher Erol Mütercimler claimed that Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek had resigned 2 weeks ago and that Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz had persuaded him to reverse this decision.

While the Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM), affiliated with the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, shared that these claims, which dominated the agenda, were not true, Gazete Pencere columnist Nuray Babacan brought the behind-the-scenes of the ‘crisis’ to her column.

Writing that the Mehmet Şimşek ‘crisis’ stemmed from a ‘tense meeting’ held at the Palace, Nuray Babacan alleged that the presidential economic advisors, whom Mehmet Şimşek ‘does not particularly enjoy working with,’ also attended the meeting in question and criticized the policies being implemented.

“It is claimed that instead of responding to the criticisms, Şimşek left the meeting by saying, ‘I’ve said what I had to say, you evaluate it among yourselves,’” Babacan shared, adding, “It is also being discussed within the AKP that this tense meeting may have been reflected in the lobbies as Şimşek preparing to resign.”

Here is the relevant section from Nuray Babacan’s article titled ‘Why did the Mehmet Şimşek crisis emerge?’:

The fact that the economic picture is not going exactly as desired and that Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek cannot get the decisions he wants often brings up claims that there is a “crisis in economic management.” While news that Şimşek had reached the point of resignation was denied by the Presidency from four fronts throughout the day yesterday, claims emerged that these rumors stemmed from a tense meeting held at the Palace.

It is stated that at the meeting on the economy held at the Presidential Palace, both the current situation was evaluated and the second economic package, which is planned to be brought to the agenda after the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) opens on October 1, was discussed.

It was alleged that the economic advisors at the Presidency, whom Şimşek does not particularly enjoy working with, also attended this meeting and criticized the policies being implemented. It is claimed that instead of responding to the criticisms, Şimşek left the meeting by saying, “I’ve said what I had to say, you evaluate it among yourselves.” It is also being discussed within the AKP that this tense meeting may have been reflected in the lobbies as Şimşek preparing to resign.

TAX PACKAGE FOR THE WEALTHY

Let’s come to the new package being worked on. The new package contains the very regulations that are cited as the reason for the debates. According to AKP staff, the new package includes new tax regulations within the scope of the policy of “taking less tax from those who earn less and more tax from those who earn more.” New steps will be taken to prevent informality in taxes.

According to the information obtained, groups that earn millions of liras, live in luxury homes, ride in luxury cars, and pay almost no taxes have been put under close surveillance. Work is being done to include regulations in the proposal that will ensure they pay taxes according to their income. Which segments will fall under this scope will be determined in detail.

AKP members participating in the work said, “The purpose of this legislative proposal is to end informality. Everyone will pay tax on what they earn. There will be measures for this in the new legislative proposal. You look, they are riding in a car worth millions of liras. They have a life of luxury but pay no taxes. We are examining these groups one by one. A detailed study is being conducted regarding artists, athletes, jewelers, or other groups.”

THE TRUTH WILL EMERGE SOON

Whether this legislative proposal will come to the agenda as described will also give an idea about whether there is a crisis in economic management. Party members who know Şimşek’s emotional outbursts acknowledge that he is uncomfortable with his decisions not being implemented as he wishes. The fate of this and similar legislative regulations will also allow the truth of the matter to emerge.

News Source: 12punto