Top Turkish business group criticizes government, urges return to 'rule of law'

Duvar English

The Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) President Orhan Turan on Feb. 13 criticized government policies and ongoing institutional decay during the association's General Assembly meeting in Istanbul. 

In his speech, Turan emphasized that Turkey had "no more time left" to address its economic issues. "Although we support Mehmet Şimşek’s economic program, we cannot say that everything in the economy is going well," the TÜSİAD President said, urging the fight against inflation to accelerate. 

Listing the many issues Turkey faced such as trustee appointments, femicides, disastrous workplace accidents, widespread corruption, and arrests of journalists and mayors, Turan asked, "Why is this escalation happening? How did we end up here?"

He continued that the collapse in trust in the legal system was behind all these problems. Turan reiterated TÜSİAD's assistance in reinstating the rule of law in Turkey.

"As all citizens are equal before the law, the state is also bound by the law. Governance at all levels should be based on legal rules, not arbitrary decisions. If trust in the law collapses, insecurity, instability, and uncertainty spread everywhere," he stated.

Government officials respond

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç responded to the criticism on X, without naming TÜSİAD. He wrote, “Turkey is a state governed by the rule of law. No institution, organization, or interest group is above the national will. The separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary are cornerstones of our democratic system.”

Tunç criticized attempts to influence the judiciary and politics, stating, “While expressing opinions is a democratic right, efforts to steer the judiciary and politics contradict the spirit of democracy and the principle of the rule of law. No one or institution can consider itself above the nation’s will or the law.”

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Spokesperson Ömer Çelik also criticized TÜSİAD, stating on X, “Civil society organizations expressing views on national issues is their natural right. However, evaluating national issues and attempting to shape politics or direct the judiciary are separate matters.”

He urged TÜSİAD to confront its history of "supporting military and judicial tutelage," accusing it of undermining democratic governance. Çelik said, “TÜSİAD must strive to leave behind its poor track record on democracy.”