09.04.2026 16:42
DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan stated regarding the discussions on by-elections, "If the ruling party, namely the AK Party and MHP, votes and decides on an election, only then can there be a by-election in Turkey. The step that will open up the way for all of Turkey right now is an early general election."
Ali Babacan, the Chairman of the DEVA Party, made evaluations on the economy management, rising oil prices and inflation, the Central Bank's foreign currency sales, the events in the Israel-Iran-US attacks, and the call for midterm elections during a live broadcast he participated in on NOW TV.
Babacan said:
"Can electricity and natural gas be increased by 25% in a country where an annual inflation of 20% is targeted? Believe me, they are experiencing a mental breakdown. Does inflation expectation decrease in this country? Inflation management is also managing expectations, it is about people believing that inflation will decrease. If people do not believe that inflation will decrease, inflation will not decrease.
When was the last time the President of the country chaired a meeting related to the economy? The situation is dire, the people are crying out. When you ask the citizens, they say, 'My biggest problem is making ends meet.' But the President of the country does not sit down and gather the economic team even once. Why doesn't he do it? Because the moment he gives that photo, the responsibility will fall on him. He does not want to shift the responsibility onto Cevdet Yılmaz or Mehmet Şimşek, but rather onto these friends."
"WHERE IS THE 49 BILLION DOLLARS?"
This country deserves to be managed much better. Look, do you know that they sold 49 billion dollars from the Central Bank since the war started? I am now asking, 'Where is the 49 billion dollars?' Have you heard any explanation? 49 billion. How did we calculate this? We are doing data mining like this. We go and scrutinize the Central Bank's balance sheet. We say, 'It seems they sold foreign currency through the back door again.' Why doesn't the Central Bank explain? Why doesn't the economic management talk about this? Do we have to come out and expose these? I am saying now, 'You sold 49 billion dollars, my friend.' Why did you sell it through the back door? Why are you not explaining? Isn't it the people's right to know this?"
Regarding the discussions on midterm elections, Babacan said:
"When you look at the details of the Constitution or the relevant legislation, ultimately, the decision is made by the Parliament. When we look at the Parliament, the AK Party and the MHP have the majority. Therefore, if the AK Party and the MHP, that is, the ruling side votes and makes a decision for elections, only then can there be a midterm election in Turkey. Right now, the step that will open the way for all of Turkey is an early general election. It has been 3 years. Today, if you say, we are in April. If you say, the earliest election will be in July, or at the latest in November. Therefore, what needs to be done is to go for an early general election. Why? Every election is actually a credit opened by the citizens to the winner. Citizens say, 'Look, I am supporting you.' But instead of burdening the country with election agendas again and again, we see it as more correct to do it once and finish this job definitively."
"WHEN WEAPONS SPEAK ON THE FIELD, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR DIPLOMACY TO SPEAK AT THE TABLE"
Regarding the 15-day ceasefire declared between Iran and the US, Babacan noted:
"There is a great massacre. While there is fire on the field, while weapons are speaking, you cannot comfortably operate the diplomacy table on the other side. I say this as someone who has served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and has been a member of the National Security Council for 8 years. The lawlessness, arrogance, and banditry of Israel must be stopped so that peace can be discussed in a reasonable environment. Israel actually does not want a ceasefire. The lawlessness, arrogance, and banditry of Israel must be stopped as soon as possible so that peace can be discussed in a normal, reasonable environment."
"TURKEY COULD NOT MAINTAIN ITS COMPLETE NEUTRALITY"
Turkey has not been able to maintain its complete neutrality on this issue in terms of rhetoric. If you ask why, the most important mistake in this process has been our Ministry of Foreign Affairs signing a statement made against Iran with some Gulf countries in the last 40 days. That is a wrong photo. Nothing is said about Israel's attacks on Iran. Only what is said is, 'Iran should not attack its neighbors,' and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey signs under it. This was a wrong thing. All statements that Turkey will announce and sign must be balanced. Its principled stance must be solid, and it should not take sides with countries. But why should Turkey take sides? It should take sides with the law. It should take sides with the United Nations Charter."
Evaluating the rise in fuel prices, Babacan said, "The price of oil has increased, transportation costs have increased, all raw materials based on oil have increased; everything based on plastic, synthetic has increased. Now, how will these separately hit inflation? How will this increase in oil prices touch the citizens' pockets? This needs to be continuously monitored in real-time," he said. Stating that the solution is to work hard, Babacan said, "You will roll up your sleeves. You will work day and night, my friend. There is no such thing as working hours. They used to say when they passed through Eskişehir road in Ankara, 'Hey brother, the lights of the Treasury are on until 2, 3, 4 in the morning.' Because we were working, we were listening to people. We would call them at 2 or 3 in the morning. We were listening to farmers, tradesmen, jewelers. What are they saying, how is it happening? How many times have I passed from Kızılay to Ulus in a civilian-plated car from Kızılay? I would follow the queues in front of the currency exchange offices during my ministry period," he said.