What happened at the Mehmet Şimşek-TOBB meeting? 'It lasted 5 hours, there was no tension'

It was alleged that tense moments occurred during the meeting held on January 6 between Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek and the management of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). Journalist Erdal Sağlam, on the YouTube channel "Mesele Ekonomi," described the behind-the-scenes of the expanded joint meeting held at TOBB on January 6. According to the insider information shared by Sağlam, Minister Şimşek's sharp reaction to the demands of the business world during the meeting, which was attended by approximately 100-120 people, created tension in the room.

According to the allegation, Minister Şimşek said at the meeting, "I came here to explain the inflation fighting program, and you are telling me your demands. You always do this. Because of these excessive demands of yours, I cannot collect taxes as I wish. You are stealing my time." 

It was claimed that after these words from Şimşek, a cold atmosphere descended on the meeting hall and the TOBB management reacted to the Minister's attitude. According to information reflected in the corridors, it was also alleged that a participant who wanted to soften the mood said to Şimşek, "You must be having a bad day today."

The statement made from the Ministry's social media account said the following:

"Our Minister of Treasury and Finance, Mr. Mehmet Şimşek, attended the Joint Board Meeting of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey on January 6 as a guest of honor. The meeting, which was closed to the press and lasted approximately 5 hours, was held in a sincere atmosphere with representatives of the business world in a question-and-answer format. As can be understood from the duration of the meeting, there was no problematic environment as reflected to the public. Otherwise, it would not have been possible for the meeting to last this long. In this context; it is significant that a closed-door meeting is presented days later with a conscious effort to create a perception, furthermore by ignoring the 5W1H rule, without contacting us, with strange accusations, and in a gossip style. It is kindly requested that false news circulated under the name of 'insider information' without citing a source not be given credence and that the public be careful against such manipulations."

News Source: 12punto