Finance Ministry Denies Reports Claiming Minister Şimşek Predicted Interest Rate Cut
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Ahead of the Central Bank’s key interest rate decision on July 24, a report claiming that Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek expected a rate cut this month stirred up social media. However, the Finance Ministry issued a strong denial, stating that the minister made no such comment on interest rates.
“No Evaluation Was Made on Interest Rates,” Ministry Says
The Ministry responded to an article titled “Şimşek: I Expect a Rate Cut This Month,” published today by Türkiye Gazetesi. In an official statement, the ministry called the report misleading and emphasized that Mehmet Şimşek had not expressed any opinion on interest rate policy.
The statement read:
“Our Minister has not made any evaluation on interest rates.”
The Ministry added that unsourced claims or behind-the-scenes political speculation should not be trusted and urged the public to be cautious of speculative news reports.
Clarification Over Kızılcahamam Meeting Misrepresentation
The article in question referenced remarks allegedly made by Şimşek during the AK Party’s Consultation and Evaluation Meeting in Kızılcahamam. While it was claimed he referenced market expectations for a potential rate cut, the Ministry stressed that this was misrepresented as a personal forecast.
The official clarification highlighted the risk of distorted headlines shaping market perception, especially during sensitive monetary policy periods.
