President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan dismissed central bank governor Murat Çetinkaya on 6 July, replacing him before his term ended.
What happened
The removal followed public pressure for lower interest rates as Turkey struggled after recession and a currency crisis. Reports said Çetinkaya resisted the requested scale of cuts.
Why it mattered
Deputy governor Murat Uysal became governor. The unusual dismissal raised investor concern about institutional independence and monetary-policy predictability.
Context and consequences
The change preceded large rate cuts later in 2019 and became a pivotal moment in relations between the presidency and central bank.
Sources
Zeynep Aziz is a social-affairs specialist, writer and advocate with advanced academic qualifications in both Social Sciences and International Relations. Her multidisciplinary education has given her a strong understanding of society, public policy, human rights and the political forces shaping Turkey’s domestic and international development.
For many years, Zeynep has been actively engaged in social affairs and initiatives supporting the rights and well-being of Turkish citizens. Her work pays particular attention to social equality, democratic participation and the protection of vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
Women’s rights remain central to her interests and advocacy. She works to raise awareness of the challenges faced by women in Turkey, including discrimination, violence, unequal opportunities and barriers to full participation in political, professional and social life. She strongly supports women’s empowerment, equal access to education and employment, and effective legal protection for women and girls.
Alongside her social work, Zeynep closely follows Turkey’s international relations and foreign policy. She takes a keen interest in Turkey’s relations with Europe, neighbouring countries and international institutions, as well as the impact of regional and global developments on Turkish society.
Through her writing and public engagement, Zeynep seeks to encourage informed discussion, strengthen respect for human rights and contribute to a fairer, more democratic and inclusive Turkey.
Zeynep Aziz
