06.04.2026 19:01
After the cabinet meeting, President Erdoğan made statements, putting an end to the debate that started with the CHP Chairman Özgür Özel's remark, "8 deputies are vacant. A by-election is necessary." Erdoğan stated, "There is no agenda for a by-election or early elections. Turkey's only agenda is to keep our country away from fire."
President Erdoğan, in a statement after the Cabinet meeting, said, "There is no agenda for by-elections or early elections. Turkey's only agenda is to keep our country away from fire."
STATEMENTS FROM ERDOĞAN AFTER THE CABINET MEETING
The Presidential Cabinet Meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has concluded. The meeting at the Presidential Complex lasted for 2.5 hours. After the meeting, President Erdoğan addressed the cameras, responding to the statement of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, "8 members of parliament are vacant, it is necessary for the Grand National Assembly of Turkey to make a decision for by-elections for the vacant seats and for the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly to do what is necessary. The constitution says there will be by-elections."
"THERE IS NO EARLY OR BY-ELECTION ON OUR AGENDA"
Erdoğan stated, "Turkey is moving confidently towards its goal without getting caught up in artificial agendas created by the futile efforts of the main opposition. Our government is in control of its agenda. No one can impose an agenda on us. No one can divert or infect Turkey's agenda with artificial discussions. I want it to be known that neither our government nor our nation has early or by-elections in their political coordinates in the near term."
Highlights from President Erdoğan's statements are as follows:
"We are fighting to increase our country's reputation both nationally and internationally. We are looking ahead, aiming to make Turkey a global player with its strong, large economy. We have continued our marathon of works and services across a wide range from technology to transportation, from communication to agriculture.
"THE GLOBAL ECONOMY IS FACING ONE OF THE HEAVIEST SHOCKS IN HISTORY"
The investments that the opposition has criticized as wasteful and questioned 'what's the need' are now seen to place us in a very advantageous position in global competition. With the start of attacks on Iran, the global economy is facing one of the heaviest shocks in recent history. The Strait of Hormuz has effectively closed.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route through which 20% of the world's oil and a significant portion of natural gas is transported. The issue is not only about energy; many critical products such as petrochemical products, fertilizers, pharmaceutical raw materials, and helium also pass through this strait. The closure of Hormuz deeply shakes the global economy in energy, agriculture, industry, and technology. For example, Europe's fossil fuel bill has surged by 17 billion dollars in the last 30 days. Natural gas prices have increased by 100%, and oil prices have risen by 60%.
"TURKEY IS OUTSIDE THIS PESSIMISTIC PICTURE"
When we look at the world, just like during the pandemic, we see that some countries have imposed quotas on fuel, schools have been closed on certain days, and the restriction of public services is being discussed. Thank God, Turkey is outside this pessimistic picture. We have no issues regarding energy supply security, procurement, and storage. Turkey does not have LNC supply through Basra and Hormuz. Although 10% of our oil imports come from here, these are areas we can easily manage.
"WE WILL NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS IN FOOD SUPPLY SECURITY"
The value of our resource diversification policy is understood in these times. We had made our fertilizer and raw material procurements well in advance. Since the war, we have reduced the customs duty to zero for the procurement of urea fertilizer. We have eliminated customs duties on certain types of fertilizers. Additionally, we have halted the transit and re-export of urea fertilizer located in warehouses through Turkey. We have no issues with agricultural production inputs like fertilizers. Thanks to the measures we have taken, we hope that we will not experience any problems in food supply security. Our inspections against war profiteers are continuing intensively."
Details are coming...