Comments by Turkish president Erdogan on the lira
- Trying to solve lira volatility issue within free market economy rules
- Turkey prefers free market economy
- Won't resort to non-free market path
- Turkey has recently underperformed EM economies
- That means Turkey is facing a different situation
- Says that his position on interest rates remains the same
- Interest rate is a tool of exploitation
He is building up a lot of hype here ahead of the CBRT decision later today at 1100 GMT. The lira is holding steady ahead of the central bank decision but if there isn't enough support provided expect the currency to continue to on its downwards path in due time.
That comment on his stance towards interest rates is potentially something that may come into play later in the day. The CBRT is very much expected to hike later on in the day and if it is something under 300 bps I reckon it won't be enough to prop up the lira in the medium-term and Erdogan's reluctance for higher rates will not help in that regard.
Even if they do hike more than 300 bps, it's unlikely they can go any further if Erdogan continues to meddle with affairs there and continues to maintain his dislike for hiking rates.