President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan launched a scathing critique against the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) following their recent comments critical of the government.

Addressing his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmakers during a weekly parliamentary meeting on February 19, Erdoğan labeled TÜSİAD's statement as "out of line."

The criticism from TÜSİAD came after an event in Istanbul on February 13, where association officials publicly condemned the legal actions targeting journalists, politicians, and businesspeople, which they perceive as an overreach by the government.

Erdoğan accused TÜSİAD of consistently opposing Türkiye's democratic and developmental strides. "Every real democracy and development move of Türkiye has always disturbed the TÜSİAD mentality," he stated, implying a long-standing conflict between his policies and the interests of the business elite.

He further elaborated on the resistance his government has faced, particularly from sectors that benefited from what he describes as "rent taps." "As we spread prosperity to the grassroots with many efforts, we encountered very serious resistance in this process. We were exposed to the operations of those whose rent taps we cut. TÜSİAD was one of the most prominent among them," Erdoğan remarked, suggesting that the association's critiques stem from their vested interests being challenged by his administration's policies.

The President also cautioned against a resurgence of what he called “the old TÜSİAD mentality” but affirmed his resolve not to succumb to pressure. "We don’t pay attention to the opposition figures who lined up after TÜSİAD's statement," he said dismissively. He further characterized these critics as "puppets," stating, "We have nothing to do with puppets. Our interlocutors are puppeteers," indicating his interest in engaging with the real power brokers behind the scenes rather than public figures.

This verbal confrontation highlights the ongoing tension between Türkiye's business community, represented by TÜSİAD, and the political leadership under Erdoğan, reflecting broader debates about the direction of economic policy, freedom of expression, and governance in Türkiye. (ILKHA)