Economist, former minister leaves positions at Turkish university, TV channel after criticizing economic policy

Former Economy Minister Professor Işın Çelebi left his positions at the Altınbaş University and TV channel NTV after he criticized the economic policy in a TV program. “They asked me to quit, I said okay,” he said.

Sunday September 08 2024 03:55 pm

Duvar English

Former Economy Minister Professor Işın Çelebi has left his positions at Turkey’s Altınbaş University and TV channel NTV after he criticized the economic policy and decision-makers in the country.

In a Sözcü TV broadcast on Sept. 4, Çelebi said, “Pensioners and low-income earners are suffering losses in real terms and their living standards continue to deteriorate,” which can lead to an early election.

“The cost of living and price increases do not match the (inflation) figures announced by (the state-run) TÜİK. They made a mistake in 2023, they increased indirect taxes and pushed inflation up, and now we are trying to reduce it. This is why Turkey will go to early elections. The transmission mechanism of monetary policy is not working properly. For the last 5-6 years, TÜİK’s figures have not reflected the reality,” he further criticized.

Çelebi told online news outlet T24, “They asked me to quit, I said okay, they didn't give me any reason. I'm not sure if it's a coincidence that two things happened simultaneously. Nobody fired me. They said we want you to quit, and I said it was fine with me.”