State Minister and EU chief negotiator Ali Babacan said Monday that no decision had yet been reached on who would lead Türkiye's central bank. He spoke to reporters following a macroeconomic briefing held at Treasury headquarters in Ankara.
Babacan said his government selects candidates for public positions strictly on merit. The remarks came after President Ahmet Necdet Sezer had raised concerns about appointments being influenced by religious considerations.
On why the nominee's identity had not been revealed, Babacan said the government would withhold the name until presidential approval was secured, to protect both the institution's standing and the candidate's reputation. He added that the bank's senior leadership remains capable.
Asked about the economic consequences of terrorist activity, Babacan described terrorism as a worldwide challenge and said the government's economic program contains provisions to limit its domestic impact.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in April 2006, in its own words.