Tuesday, December 1, 2015

In Erdogan’s Turkey, Dissent May Be Bad for Business

 

Reuters, 01/12 16:24 CET

By Asli Kandemir

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – The head of one of Turkey’s biggest retailers, once consigned by Tayyip Erdogan to the ranks of “riff-raff”, might be forgiven for having sensed the hand of the president recently when Istanbul Stock exchange raised alarm with a terse warning to his company.

Cem Boyner’s department store company joined a list of companies that have faced legal or regulatory pressure after falling out with Erdogan or the ruling AK Party he founded. Investors are increasingly worried that in Turkey, dissent is bad for business.

“At risk are companies that are perceived to be close to opposition forces, or firms whose bosses’ public remarks may have antagonised the government,” said Wolfango Piccoli, managing director of Teneo Intelligence.

Erdogan has raised concern at home and in the European Union Turkey seeks to join, with his open conflict with media firms and business heads. The president, still the most popular leader in decades, says he is fighting domestic and foreign attempts to slur him with graft accusations and undermine the country. 

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Source: Euronews

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