Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of Turkey’s biggest party in opposition, has strongly come out in support of bitcoin after Erdogan’s newly appointed central bank governor published a diktat banning bitcoin payments.
“I met with different stakeholders all day. Blockchain and crypto are the only areas where our $1 billion (Unicorn) ventures will emerge,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.
He then accused Turkey’s ruling government of hitting financial technology startups. “They have no tolerance for young people. No no no!” – Kılıçdaroğlu said.
Erdogan’s AKP party and coalition remain the most popular, but polls have been volatile with Kılıçdaroğlu’s CHP party narrowing the gap.
In addition CHP won Istanbul in a closely contested election in 2018 where there was a re-run until AKP conceded.
That landmark victory remains the clearest proof that Turkey is still a democracy despite some calling it a dictatorship.
This clear show of support by Kılıçdaroğlu is the first time in bitcoin’s fairly short history that the two main parties find themselves in different sides where cryptos are concerned.
Although that said, AKP itself hasn’t quite said much with this ban being a diktat by the central bank. So it’s a bit unclear whether this was government policy.
Kılıçdaroğlu however is clearly grasping the opportunity to show a pro innovation and a very business friendly side to what must be a stunned Turkey after this very unexpected diktat.
“I have been voting for the AKP for 20 years, but in this election will now vote for the CHP. My president, for my bitcoins,” says a Turk after Kılıçdaroğlu came in support of bitcoin.
