A critical 2 months! Did the MTP make Minister Şimşek a 'de facto prime minister'?

Journalist and author Murat Yetkin has provided an assessment regarding the economic policies of Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek.

Describing Şimşek as a "de facto prime minister," Yetkin stated, "This was not even his own request; the necessity of implementing the Medium-Term Program without a hitch to exit the crisis has elevated Şimşek to the function of a de facto prime minister, with high influence but authority limited to his ministry."

"HE WILL FACE A TOUGH TEST IN JUNE AND JULY"

"Şimşek is like a prime minister who has influence even if he lacks the authority. This influence will face a tough test, especially in June and July," commented Yetkin, adding, "The tough tests in the coming two months are different. Regulations on the Public Procurement Law and Tax Reform are expected to come to Parliament. I stopped counting the changes made to the Public Procurement Law—which was introduced with the Kemal Derviş reforms after the 2001 financial crisis—according to the needs of contractors in every major tender at 192."

PRIME MINISTERIAL INFLUENCE

"I am writing it here: there is a possibility that opposition to Şimşek's proposals will come from both opposition parties and the AK Party Group in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Likewise, Şimşek's proposal to tighten tax audits and reduce tax exemptions must also pass through the Turkish Grand National Assembly by the end of July; it will not be very easy. Therefore, even though the authority lies with Erdoğan, Şimşek will need to use his prime ministerial influence," he stated.

News Source: 12punto