AKP official spoke to Reuters: We are having problems

The rejection of President Tayyip Erdoğan’s offer to “take over the economy again” by former Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek continues to resonate in the international press.

In the news published in the British news agency Reuters with the headline “Erdogan is trying to save his economic credibility before the elections”, Şimşek’s refusal to return, the problems he faced due to the economic policies of the AKP and the candidate of the opposition Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu leaders in the polls were mentioned.

‘THE IMAGE RENEWAL IS NOW DIFFICULT’

Citing anonymous AKP officials and analysts, the story noted that the refusal of Şimşek, respected by international investors, to return to politics complicates Erdogan’s efforts to rebuild his economic credibility, less than two months before the historic election.

“Both analysts and investors show how difficult the Lightning incident is to renew the image of a government whose policies have created a cost-of-living crisis and whose economy and financial markets are largely under state control,” the report said.

Ertan Aksoy of Aksoy Research said: “Şimşek’s refusal to join the ranks is neither the first nor the last indication that support for the government has waned.”

‘WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE ECONOMIC STATE’

Speaking to the agency, a senior government official said that there are also those within the AKP who oppose Şimşek’s return and that there is a split in the party on this issue, but that the Erdoğan-Şimşek meeting had an “undesirable” result. “. The official said the party may need to review its economic platform ahead of the election campaign.

Speaking to the agency again, an AKP official said: “If Lightning had come back, it would have increased our votes.” “We are currently experiencing difficulties with the economic outlook. There is nothing to discuss about this,” the official said, adding that further steps must be taken.

Another party official said the revised election manifesto could include more “balanced” or “mixed” policies instead of the orthodox free-market approach some are seeking.

It was also stated in the news that the economic cost of the devastating earthquakes that occurred on February 6 was estimated at approximately $104 billion, adding to the pressure on the economy.

‘KILIÇDAROĞLU FRONT’

According to the latest polls by MAK and Turkey Report, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is ahead of Erdogan by 4 to 9 points.

Polina Kurdyavko, a senior portfolio manager and head of emerging markets at London-based investment company BlueBay Asset Management, said Turkey’s economic difficulties cannot be easily resolved, no matter who comes to power and what policies are put in place.

Blaise Antin, head of emerging markets at US-based asset management firm TCW, also said investors are extremely wary of the Erdogan government’s policy changes, due to its deceptive steps in the past.