Consecutive elections in recent years have exhausted the citizens. Turkish people, who went to the polls last year for the general elections and last Sunday for the local elections, conveyed their messages to the politicians at the ballot box.
While there is no election "for now" until 2028; “Citizens on the street” expect administrators to spend “the energy they spend on election campaigns” on people's problems, especially financial difficulties and high cost of living.
PEOPLE PRIORITIZE “SURVIVAL” NOT “LIVING”
The point at which the government has brought the economy, inflation that cannot be reduced and financial difficulties that cannot be prevented, is eroding the real income of the people day by day and pushing people to "survive instead of living".
TROUBLES ARE INCREASING
While queues for People's Bread or cheap minced meat have become commonplace, the problems of workers, civil servants and those working in the private sector, especially retirees, are increasing despite the salary increases.
While 16 million retirees are distracted by 3 thousand lira holiday bonuses and bank promotions, citizens are afraid of becoming poorer with new "austerity" measures.
FEAR OF “FLOUD AFTER ELECTION”
The government's statement that inflation would decrease starting from the summer months was not met with a response from either the public or the markets.
The interest rate, which was 8 percent in the May 14, 2023 elections, increased to 50 percent in 11 months. The shrinking markets and the decline in confidence in the economic management led people to gold and foreign currency to protect their savings.
While the fear that the economic burden will become even heavier after the election gnaws at the citizens, it also raises questions about whether the government, which was defeated in the local elections, will take decisive steps to reduce inflation.