2024 local election in Turkey: Business world evaluates election results

As Turkey went to the polls yesterday to elect local officials, statements were made by the business world on the matter after the election results became clear. M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), commented on the March 31, 2024 Local Administrations General Elections, saying, “May the election be auspicious for our country and our nation.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The March 31, 2024 Local Administrations General Elections have concluded. May the results be auspicious for our country and nation. First and foremost, I thank everyone who went to the polls and supported our country’s future and democracy. I congratulate the elected Mayors. With the local elections behind us, a four-year period without elections is an important opportunity for our country.”

He went on to say, “There are many steps to be taken and much work to be done in the economy. We must focus all our efforts on combating inflation. The fight against inflation will be more successful in coordination with monetary and fiscal policies. Price stability and financial stability will be strengthened, thus increasing investments with high technology content and added value.”

Structural reforms

Hisarcıklıoğlu further noted, “Preserving our country’s production capacity and ensuring the sustainability of companies is also important. We must take effective and decisive steps in structural reforms. Reforms await us in many areas such as vocational education, employment policies, tax reform, increasing the operational efficiency of the judiciary, strengthening institutional infrastructure, increasing the earthquake resistance of our cities, creating new industrial zones, bringing key technologies to our country, and preparing our country for green and digital transformation.

Now, regardless of our political views, it is time to walk towards a bright future with unity and solidarity, respecting the decision of our people, with the consensus and wisdom of 86 million. We have reached the top league in product and market diversity in the first century of our Republic. Now, in its second century, it is time to work even harder for a more peaceful, happier, and more prosperous Turkey. As the business world, we will work for more production, investment, employment, and exports.”

TÜSİAD: We wish for the strengthening of cooperation between central and local governments

In a statement made by TÜSİAD regarding the election, success was wished for in improving the quality of life in cities, good governance, and effective service delivery to local governments.

The statement expressed the hope for a period where cooperation between the central government and local governments is strengthened, especially in disaster management and other areas, stating, “Following the local elections, we must focus on structural reforms that will strengthen our economy, democracy, and legal system, to achieve a more developed, respected, fair, and environmentally friendly Turkey through concerted efforts.”

Avdagiç: Turkey should focus on the economic program

Şekib Avdagiç, President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO), evaluated the results of the March 31 Local Administrations General Elections in a social media post. He said that Turkey had once again completed an election with reason and democratic maturity. Wishing the election results to be auspicious for Istanbul, Turkey and the nation, Avdagiç congratulated the elected mayors.

He expressed the belief that Turkey’s business world should focus on the economic program being implemented after this election, stating: “In the coming period, many issues need to be thoroughly evaluated for a permanent, sustainable, and rational fight, especially inflation and structural reforms. Thus, Turkey, where conflicts and wars prevail around it, will continue to be a safe haven with its increasingly strengthened economy and democracy.”