Governor of Turkish Central Bank resigns

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) – The governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye resigned late Friday, asking President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to relieve her of her position.

Hafize Gaye Erkan said it was an honor to be the first female governor of the bank and expressed her gratitude to President Erdogan and the Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek.

"I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to our President, who gave me the opportunity to serve my country and nation," she said on X platform.

Reminding that she was appointed as the governor of the bank on June 8, 2023, she said: "At that time, I was aware of the difficulties of maintaining such an intense duty as the mother of a child who had not yet come of age."

"At this point, our economic program has started to bear fruit. The increase in our reserves, economic data and indicators of the main trend of inflation are proof of this success," she added.

In a statement, Simsek thanked the outgoing governor and said: "The president has full support and confidence in our economic team and the program we are implementing. Our economic program continues uninterruptedly and decisively.

“Wishing success to the new governor and his team, who will be appointed in line with ‘my proposal’.”

The economic administration will continue to take firm steps towards the price stability target in strong coordination as a team, Simsek added.

Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz also thanked Erkan, saying: “We will remember with appreciation the contributions she made, especially in the Economic Coordination Committee,” he added.

He underlined that Türkiye’s medium-term program will continue to be implemented decisively.