Turkish opposition party to file criminal complaint against Central Bank chief amid lira meltdown

Muharrem İnce, who founded the Homeland Party (MP) in May, has announced that his party will file a criminal complaint against Central Bank chief Şahap Kavcıoğlu and the bank's Monetary Policy Council (PPK) members for heeding to Erdoğan's demands and driving the country to a deeper economic crisis.

Friday November 19 2021 11:46 am

Turkish Central Bank chief Şahap Kavcıoğlu (L) and Erdoğan meet at the Presidential Palace in this file photo.

Duvar English

Muharrem İnce, the leader of Homeland Party (MP) and former presidential candidate of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has announced that his party will file a criminal complaint against Central Bank Governor Şahap Kavcıoğlu and members of the Central Bank Monetary Policy Council (PPK).

“We will file a criminal complaint against Central Bank Governor and PPK Members for not fulfilling their duties granted by the Law, causing the Turkish Lira to lose value and therefore leading to the impoverishment of the nation and country. The country is not ownerless!” İnce tweeted on Nov. 18.

Merkez Bankası Başkanı ve PPK Üyeleri hakkında Kanunun kendilerine verdiği görevleri yerine getirmeyerek Türk Lirasında değer kaybına ve dolayısıyla milletin ve memleketin fakirleşmesine sebep oldukları için suç duyurusunda bulunacağız. Memleket sahipsiz değildir!
— Muharrem İNCE (@vekilince) November 18, 2021

The Central Bank cut its key interest rate by a further 100 basis points on Nov. 18, heeding to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's constant demands for cheaper borrowing despite a meltdown of the Turkish Lira and soaring inflation.

Erdoğan takes the unorthodox view that lower rates are the only way to curb inflation. Not only has he seemingly got his way this time, but his Central Bank chief hinted at another cut next month.

Economists warn Turkey now risks even higher inflation - 30% potentially - and full currency meltdown unless the course changes and rates are raised.