Surprising claim regarding the trustee appointed to Can Holding: Is Mehmet Şimşek behind the operation?

Cumhuriyet columnist Mustafa Balbay made notable assessments regarding the Can Holding operation carried out on September 11. Balbay stated that both the visible and invisible aspects of the operation provide clues about the economy and the general state of economic management.

Balbay emphasized that the media and education dimensions appear to be "for show," and that the real issue concerns financial crimes. He expressed his hope that educational and media institutions would not be affected by the process.

According to Balbay's column, Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek played a significant role in pushing the button for the operation. Among the primary reasons pressuring Şimşek was the pressure from units in the US dealing with money laundering and smuggling.

The organizations in question warned Ankara that the cycle, involving billions of dollars, would put pressure on Turkey and that the country could once again face a "grey list" process, as it has in the past.

DIFFERING VIEWS WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT

While it was noted that there are factions within the government that view the operation coldly, Şimşek's persistent stance drew attention. It was noted that Can Holding's entry into the media and education sectors took place over a one-year period, and that official permits, primarily from the Competition Authority, were completed in three months during this process.

TURKEY'S GREY LIST HISTORY

Balbay reminded that Turkey had previously been placed on the grey list twice. Having entered this list between 2011-2013 and 2021-2024, Turkey had been recorded internationally for being insufficient in combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

It was stated that Şimşek is acting sensitively to ensure that the same situation does not happen again.

Balbay stated that the balances within the government itself, future calculations, and the Palace are showing "extraordinary sensitivity" toward potential risks. It was noted that decisive attitudes and a reflex to "cut ties" also played a role in shaping the process.