Turkish business world demands low-tension presidential election from PM Erdoğan

The Turkish business world wants a temperate presidential election that will “establish peace” in the country, Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu has said, speaking after a widely-participated consultation meeting with the prime minister.

“We, as the business world, believe the presidential elections will be completed moderately. As a result, we also wish for establishment of peace in our country,” Hisarcıklıoğlu told reporters on June 18 after the meeting between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and delegates from the private sector.

“We should find peace to focus on our businesses, to produce, invest and export more as the business world. Our job is already making the environment better for merchants and industrialists, raising their competitive power and coming up with solutions,” he added.

Prime Minister Erdoğan came together with leaders of some of Turkey’s most prominent business organizations, including the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) and the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (MÜSİAD), during the “Consultation with Business World” meeting hosted by the TOBB on June 18.

The meeting was organized for the business world to discuss with Erdoğan the upcoming presidential polls in August, in which Turkish citizens will directly elect the Turkish president for the first time ever.

Hisarcıklıoğlu underlined that all participants had the chance to express their views and convey their opinions to the prime minister. “We think it will be right to act through principles. Elections are one of the most important mechanisms of...