Erdoğan harsly slammed TÜSİAD

"In the new Turkey, you will know your limits; you will not provoke the nation, you will not provoke the institutions of the state." President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently criticized the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TÜSİAD), which has been outspoken with its critical remarks in recent days. Speaking at the AK Party Parliamentary Group Meeting, Erdoğan sharply condemned TÜSİAD’s stance, calling it a "provocation." Erdoğan argued that every step Turkey has taken towards democracy and development has been met with opposition from the TÜSİAD mentality. He emphasized that TÜSİAD, as a business association, should focus on its core mission and refrain from political interference. He said, “If you are a businessmen’s association, you will learn to act like one.” He further added, “Turkey is not your personal property, and politicians are not your employees.” Key Points from Erdoğan’s Remarks:

• On criticism and democracy: Erdoğan noted that while criticism is allowed in a democracy, it must be constructive. He acknowledged the government’s efforts to raise democratic standards and lift bans.
• On the opposition's reaction: He dismissed opposition figures who aligned themselves with TÜSİAD, calling them "lackeys" and "puppets," while stating that the government's true interlocutors were the ones pulling the strings behind the scenes.
• Economic progress: Erdoğan pointed out that under AK Party rule, Turkey’s exports grew significantly, from $36 billion to $262 billion by 2024. He criticized TÜSİAD for allegedly miscalculating or misrepresenting Turkey’s economic progress.
• Response to TÜSİAD’s criticism: Erdoğan slammed TÜSİAD for attacking the government over natural disasters. He questioned their contributions during crises, pointing out that other countries, like Azerbaijan and Pakistan, provided substantial aid, while TÜSİAD failed to do so.
• On political engineering: He warned TÜSİAD and others engaged in political maneuvering instead of offering constructive solutions for the economy, employment, and production. He reiterated that Turkey is not their personal property, and the political class is not there to serve their interests.
• On opposition's failure: Erdoğan also criticized the opposition, claiming that it has failed to contribute to the country’s development. He argued that they have been more focused on political rivalry than serving the people, causing significant damage to Turkey’s progress.
• On the CHP leadership: Referring to the Republican People's Party (CHP), Erdoğan ridiculed its leader, Mr. Özel, for his "tragicomic" behavior and his attempts to align with marginal leftist groups. He criticized Özel for not fulfilling his political duties and bringing shame to the country with his actions.
• On CHP’s internal issues: Erdoğan expressed that the ruling party would not be dragged into the internal disputes of the opposition. He stressed the importance of transparency and honesty and stated that any unresolved issues within the opposition should be dealt with in court, not through political manipulation.