Mehmet Şimşek denies resignation rumors and business tie allegations

Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek and the Ministry of Treasury and Finance have issued strong denials regarding rumors of his resignation and allegations of improper business ties. Şimşek characterized the resignation claims as baseless speculation aimed at sabotaging Turkey’s economic stability.

The Ministry also addressed allegations appearing in a newspaper column regarding Şimşek’s relationship with a specific brokerage firm. The Ministry clarified that Şimşek has no commercial ties, partnerships, or business relationships with the firm’s owners or managers, whether in the UK or elsewhere, either before or after his public service.

Regarding his professional history, the Ministry noted that Şimşek worked in the research department of Merrill Lynch between 2000 and 2007, but emphasized that this role did not grant authority to establish commercial relationships or award business to specific institutions. The Presidency’s Directorate for Combating Disinformation stated that legal processes are being initiated against those spreading false content intended to manipulate financial markets and public opinion.