New Cabinet

Hayri Kozanoğlu, chair of the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP), believes that the new cabinet will not produce any alternative economic policies.

He interpreted the return of Ali Babacan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, to the post of State Minister responsible for the Economy as a sign that the government was offering the IMF a single contact person.

Kozanoğlu, author of the book “The Real Face of Neoliberalism”, also pointed out that the dismissal of certain individuals was an acknowledgement of failure.

“The fact that Nazım Erken, former deputy PM and State Minister responsible for the economy, Minister of Finance Kemal Unakıtan and State Minister Kürşad Tüzmen are not in the new cabinet, means that their lack of success has been accepted, and that the crisis is not passing the country by (as the PM claimed).”

A move towards capitalists

Kozanoğlu interpreted the disposal of Ekren, who did not support the IMF to such a degree and seemed more sensitive to the effects the crisis was having on the poor, as a sign that his limited approach in terms of the IMF and capitalists was not accepted.

“If you remember, it was Ekren who suggested projects such as distributing shopping vouchers to 6 million poor citizens. That programme was not carried out. It is clear that the government is not even interested in any small projects supporting workers.”

The ÖDP chair predicted that, with the new cabinet, the government would move closer to the IMF and act in a more pro-capitalist manner. (EZÖ/AG)