Head of the Turkish opposition Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) Ali Babacan said he regrets making a decision in 2015 not to speak out about politics after submitting his resignation and failing to warn over the risks of the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) plans to switch to a presidential system of in 2017.
“I knew it would drag Turkey into a disaster. I had made a decision not to speak. If only I had spoken up,” Babacan said in an interview.
The former deputy prime minister served as minister of state in charge of economic affairs in governments led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at the time when the Turkish economy grew three folds following the financial crisis in 2001.
He announced his resignation from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) on July 8, 2019, citing “differences” with Erdogan.
Babacan said preparations for the constitutional amendments facilitating a switch to the presidential system began six months after the declaration of a state of emergency following a failed coup in July 2016.
“They were kept secret from the public and were quickly presented to parliament for approval.”
Babacan also spoke about an ongoing economic crisis in the country, saying he expects poverty to prevail due to the crisis caused by the depreciation of the Turkish lira and the high inflation rates.
He held the government responsible for the current economic situation in Turkey, noting that people will better understand the consequences of the crisis on their lives in the next few months.
“There will be widespread poverty. The gap between rich and poor will grow,” he said.
Babacan called for holding early elections immediately to end this financial crisis but said Erdogan would not agree because he is unlikely to win under the current circumstances.
The currency crisis has pushed many Turks below the official poverty line. Hundreds protested over the weekend in Ankara and Istanbul against the government’s monetary policy and demanded Erdogan’s resignation.
The denounced the hike in prices, recent poor living conditions due to the sharp rise in foreign exchange rates and the collapse of the Turkish lira.
Last week, Erdogan said during a televised press conference that the monthly net minimum salary will be 4,250 liras ($275).
The lira has lost more than half of its value against the dollar this year.
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