President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reacted strongly to statements made by the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD), warning, “In the New Turkey, you will know your place. If you are a business association, you will learn to behave like one. You will not provoke the nation or attempt to pressure the judiciary.” He also claimed that Turkey suffers from a persistent “opposition deficit.”
TÜSİAD’s Statement and Erdoğan’s Response
Erdoğan addressed TÜSİAD’s recent criticisms of the judiciary, accusing the association of overstepping its bounds. “We have never ignored constructive and consistent criticism. But the arrogant system where politicians were dictated to has collapsed. The system where they profited from instability has collapsed,” he declared.
TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan had previously stated, “Without establishing the rule of law, we cannot solve either domestic or foreign issues.” Meanwhile, TÜSİAD’s High Advisory Council Chair Ömer Aras argued that the government had failed to create a secure environment for investors in 2024, later expanding his criticism to include the judiciary.
TÜSİAD: “Know Your Place in the New Turkey”
Erdoğan accused TÜSİAD of overstepping its authority with statements that he described as “provocative.” He insisted that in a democracy, no one is beyond criticism and added, “Our governments have raised democratic standards and removed past restrictions. We don’t deal with puppets. The era when TÜSİAD dictated politics is over. You may miss the old Turkey, where the state was under your control, but in the New Turkey, you will know your place.”
“You Will Not Succeed”
Sending a strong message to TÜSİAD, Erdoğan declared, “You will not succeed. If you want Turkey to be handed over to those aligned with terrorist organizations, know that it will never happen. The issues TÜSİAD claims are disrupting investor confidence are all matters for the judiciary.”
“TÜSİAD’s Old Elites Are the Ones Demoralized”
The president dismissed claims that Turkey’s system is collapsing, arguing that those who profited from past instability are merely upset that they no longer control the economy. “The ones demoralized are not the people of this country but TÜSİAD’s old elites, who are frustrated because they can’t exploit the state treasury as they once did.”
Criticizing TÜSİAD’s handling of the 2023 earthquakes, Erdoğan asked, “What did TÜSİAD do during the earthquake disaster? How much did you support AFAD? Every real step toward democracy and development has always disturbed TÜSİAD’s mentality. The system where they dictated to politicians is over. The system where they profited from instability is over. The system where they controlled politics through newspaper headlines is over. Turkey is not your private property, the people are not your employees, and politicians are not your hired staff.”
Final Warning to TÜSİAD
Erdoğan ended with a stern warning: “In the New Turkey, you will know your place. If you are a business association, behave like one. Do not provoke the people or attempt to pressure the judiciary. If you want to do politics, then form a party or join one. We will not allow you to drag this country back into instability. As long as we are in office, no one will have the power to restore the old system where the state’s resources were funneled to a privileged few.”
Erdoğan on the CHP Congress Investigation
The president also addressed the ongoing investigation into the CHP’s 2023 congress, reiterating his stance that Turkey lacks a strong opposition. “Instead of using their mandate for service, they obstruct progress. They don’t care about our people’s needs or Turkey’s global standing. There is a growing opposition deficit in Turkey. With their hostile actions, they have wasted the nation’s time, supporting every attack on our democracy—from the Gezi riots to coup attempts.”
Criticizing Özgür Özel’s leadership, Erdoğan remarked, “The tradition in CHP where the new leader makes people miss the old one continues with Mr. Özel. His statements show that he is not fit for the position he holds. It saddens us to see CHP voters let down by such political immaturity.”
“The Engine Overheated, the Circuits Burned Out”
Erdoğan accused Özel of aligning with radical leftist groups and making disrespectful remarks about him, stating, “For the past three weeks, he has desperately tried to legitimize the slogans of marginal leftist groups. He has demonstrated every skill, including making shameless insults. And in the end? The engine overheated, memory malfunctioned, circuits burned out. While calling us ignorant about poetry, it turns out he is the one who is culturally and intellectually lacking. He even butchered a poem by the late Ziya Gökalp. We can offer him some tips on poetry if he wants. We hope Mr. Özel quickly gets himself together.”
On the CHP Congress Investigation: “Let Them Settle Their Scores in Court”
Referring to the legal investigation into the CHP congress, Erdoğan stated, “We stand for transparency, honesty, and the free expression of voter will. We will not allow past and present CHP leaders to drag us into their internal disputes. If they have unresolved issues, they should settle them in court, not through us. We have neither the time nor the patience to waste on their political infighting. Hopefully, this turmoil will lead to a cleansing process within the opposition.”
Erdoğan’s Message to MHP Leader Bahçeli
The president also wished Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli a speedy recovery, emphasizing his satisfaction with Bahçeli’s improved health.
Foreign Policy: Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan Visits
Touching on Turkey’s foreign policy, Erdoğan asserted that the country continues to break old patterns and forge a new path aligned with its historical legacy. He also revealed that Turkish-made TOGG cars were gifted to foreign leaders during his recent visits, commenting, “Apparently, some in the opposition were disturbed by the fact that we gifted TOGG instead of Turkish delight. Those with narrow horizons will never understand us.”
On Gaza and Trump’s Plan
Regarding the situation in Gaza, Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s unwavering stance, saying, “We remain firmly on the side of the oppressed, standing tall without bowing or bending. We cannot turn a blind eye to inhumane plans for Gaza.”
