Erdal Bahçıvan Announced That He Will Not Be a Candidate for the ISO Presidency

Erdal Bahçıvan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO), announced at the press conference he held in Mekanule that he will not enter the presidential race in the new term.

Bahçıvan stated that he presided over ISO during many difficult periods such as global crises, exchange rate shocks, pandemics and high inflation during his term of office, and emphasized that he took his decision of his own free will.

Erdal Bahçıvan made evaluations about the tenure process, stating that how the positions are left is more important than whether they are held for a long time.

Bahçıvan used the following expressions in his speech:

"There are some positions in human life; they cannot be held; they are carried for a while. The real value of the positions is measured not by how long they are held, but by what principles and how they are left. Today, there is no deficiency within me; I have the peace of mind that I have done my duty with all my strength, said the word I had to say on time, and served this great institution. I decided to leave this great trust, of my own free will, at a time I believe is right."

Stating that they act with the understanding of "right is right, wrong is wrong" in industrial policies, Bahçıvan stated that they maintain their independent corporate stance against the public authority.

Explaining his choice regarding the ISO elections, Bahçıvan announced that they will support the current ISO Assembly President, Ender Yılmaz.

Stating that Yılmaz's candidacy was determined by the joint decision of the board of directors, Bahçıvan made the following evaluation about Ender Yılmaz:

"I sincerely believe that my brother Ender Yılmaz, who is a beloved industrialist of our community with his calmness, elegance and mature behavior away from conflict, will protect the brand value of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry and even develop it and take it to further levels, I trust him and wish him success. May his path be good."

It was also a matter of curiosity who would be the strongest opponent of Ender Yılmaz, supported by Bahçıvan, in the elections.

According to information obtained from industry circles, Dalgakıran Compressor Chairman of the Board of Directors and former ISO Deputy Chairman Adnan Dalgakıran, who is also competing for the presidency in the 2022 elections, is expected to be a candidate again in the new term.

It is expected that the election race will be shaped mainly over the names of Ender Yılmaz and Adnan Dalgakıran.

Answering the questions of the press members after the meeting, Bahçıvan said that he was waiting for the election calendar determined by the District Election Board to be finalized in order to announce the new term decision.

Bahçıvan, who stated that he would clarify his decision after the completion of the election calendar, the legal process of which started with the August parliamentary meeting, also responded to the new position allegations against him.

Regarding the backstage allegations that he will work in the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) or a ministry, Bahçıvan said, "Everyone is telling fortunes on my behalf."

Bahçıvan noted that such a situation is not the case at the moment.