Turkey: Opposition slams changes in Central Bank head

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) – A Turkish opposition leader on Wednesday criticized the president over frequent changes in the Central Bank leadership.

Addressing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Good (IYI) Party leader Meral Aksener said: "The state isn’t governed by playing with institutions and corporate values. The economy isn’t managed by changing the Central Bank head every six months. In a country where the Central Bank head is dismissed via an overnight decree, there can be no talk of stability."

Speaking to her party’s parliamentary group, Aksener said the IYI Party places great importance on the Central Bank’s independence, adding: "We stress this at every opportunity."

Aksener added that her party has submitted a bill on the independence of the Central Bank administration.

"Under our draft, the heads of the Central Bank can be appointed for five-year terms, and cannot be dismissed before their term concludes," she said.

Central Bank Governor Naci Agbal was dismissed and replaced with former lawmaker professor Sahap Kavcioglu under a presidential decree issued early on March 20.

Agbal himself was appointed governor last November when his predecessor Murat Uysal was dismissed.