Dozens of AKP members, presidency employees receive multiple salaries

A shocking 54 names who are associated with the Turkish presidency and the ruling AKP have been revealed to receive multiple salaries from not just the state but private enterprises as well, the daily BirGün reported on June 21.

Monday June 21 2021 12:43 pm

Duvar English

Some 54 politicians working with the presidency or the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) have been revealed to receive multiple salaries from not just public entities but private organizations that they've been assigned to thanks to their political power, the daily BirGün reported on June 21.

The report directly conflicts with a statement made by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in March when he said that public workers would be allowed to be employed by only one other entity aside from their public posts.

The ruling AKP is often criticized for favoring their political allies for mass state tenders and for overlooking their allies' qualifications when assigning them to positions of power not just in the state but also in private entities.

Professional wrestler Hamza Yerlikaya is one of the first names that come to mind in this context, as he was assigned to the board of public Vakıfbank despite having no official training in banking.

Also a former AKP deputy, Yerlikaya serves as a counsel to the president and an assistant to the Youth and Sports Minister today, all three of which titles that grant him a salary.

Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun also receives a second salary from the Istanbul Stock Exchange, while his wife Fatmanur Altun enjoys a salary from her seat on the Turkish Airlines board alongside her teaching post at Marmara University.

Another former deputy of the ruling AKP, Mehmet Uçum also serves as a presidential advisor and the deputy chair of the Presidential Law Policies Council.

Another presidential advisor, Seyit Sertçelik is also a former deputy of the AKP and also serves as a member of the Presidential Security and Foreign Policy Council.

Yet another presidential advisor, Cemil Ragıp Ertem serves on the board of the public Vakıf Bank and also on the Presidential Financial Policy Council.

Head of the Presidential Digital Transformation Office, Ali Taha Koç also serves as a board member at the state-owned satellite communication company Türksat.

Head of the Presidential State Archives, Uğur Ünal is also a board member at the Turkish Maritime Organization, while former AKP deputy and Ankara University Rector Necdet Ünüvar serves on the Presidential Health and Food Policy Council.

Head of Turkey's controversial Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), Ebubekir Şahin also serves on the board of Vakıf Bank.

One politician, 11 salaries

A former deputy of the ruling AKP, Fahrettin Poyraz receives 11 salaries in total, the daily Sözcü reported on June 21.

Chairman of the Agricultural Credit Cooperatives of Turkey, Poyraz also serves as the board chairman of the chemicals company GÜBRETAŞ and of the Agricultural Credit Cooperatives, Education, Culture and Health Foundation (TAREKSAV).

In addition to his former deputy's salary, Poyraz is paid for his seat as board chairman at Agriculture Credit Holding, Bereket Tekaful, Bereket Retirement, Bereket Insurance, GÜBRETAŞ Mining Corp., Tarım Kredi Sera Corp. and Agricultural Credit Cooperatives of Turkey Social Aid Foundation.