Turkey’s official statistics agency has filed a lawsuit against a senior opposition lawmaker, accusing him of defamation in remarks he made criticizing the institution’s inflation data last month, the Anka news agency reported.
The Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) is seeking 50,000 Turkish lira (about $1,250) in non-pecuniary damages from Ali Mahir Başarır, the deputy parliamentary group chair of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), following his statements at a July 3 press conference at the Turkish Parliament.
In his remarks Başarır accused TurkStat of publishing manipulated inflation figures that failed to reflect the economic reality faced by workers, retirees and civil servants.
“Everyone knows these figures are fake. This is shamelessness, heartlessness and brazenness,” Başarır said. “TurkStat has become an institution that harms retirees and civil servants in this country. The real inflation experienced on the street does not match what TurkStat reports,” he said.
Başarır further claimed that the agency’s inflation rates result in lower salary increases than if alternative inflation calculations were used, specifically referencing data from the Inflation Research Group (ENAG), an independent team of economists. He accused TurkStat of effectively “stealing” from pensioners and civil servants by underreporting inflation.
TurkStat on July 3 reported an annual inflation rate of 35.05 percent for June and a monthly increase of 1.37 percent, lower than forecast. However, ENAG estimated annual inflation at 68.68 percent and a monthly rise of 3.05 percent for June, nearly double the official figures.
The difference would matter for retirees and civil servants who get pay and pension increases based on TurkStat’s lower inflation rate, meaning their incomes would not keep up with the actual cost of living.
“If the government had based raises on ENAG’s data, pensions would have gone up 26.67 percent. Instead, TurkStat’s figure led to a 16.67 percent increase,” Başarır said. “That 10 percent difference was stolen. TurkStat took it from the pockets of retirees.”
TurkStat filed the defamation lawsuit citing these comments, arguing in its petition that the statements were “deliberately made without regard for the public interest” and constituted “a serious attack on the personal rights” of the institution, its executives and its staff.
“The slanderous and insulting nature of the defendant’s remarks cannot be considered harmless in the ordinary course of life,” the agency said in its petition.
In response Başarır defended his remarks and accused TurkStat of operating under government influence.
“An institution that mocks the public every month with its data is now suing me for allegedly insulting its members,” he said in a written statement. “TurkStat is no longer a neutral statistics body. Its lack of transparency and misleading data distort the public’s perception of the economy.”
Başarır pointed to Article 257 of Turkey’s penal code, which penalizes public officials who cause harm by failing to fulfill their duties, arguing that TurkStat’s inflation reporting contributes to financial losses for millions of citizens whose wages are tied to the agency’s figures.
“Those who mislead the public, miscalculate inflation and cause hardship for millions must be held accountable before the nation,” he said.
TurkStat has long faced criticism for allegedly manipulating data to obscure the extent of Turkey’s economic troubles under the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The institute has been accused of downplaying key statistics, including inflation and unemployment, in an effort to maintain public confidence amid economic instability.
A MetroPoll survey found last year that 61.7 percent of Turks believe TurkStat underreports inflation, reflecting deepening mistrust in official data.
Over the past several years Turkey has been suffering from a deteriorating economy, with high inflation and unemployment as well as a poor human rights record. The lira has been the worst performer in emerging markets for several years running due largely to economic and monetary policy concerns under the government of President Erdoğan.