More than a month before crucial presidential and legislative elections in Turkey. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in power for twenty years, is a candidate for a new term. His main adversary: the leader of the opposition coalition Kemal Kiliçdaroglu. Even if the outcome of the election remains very uncertain in view of the polls, the outgoing president is disputed. The economic crisis that the country is going through should play a big role in these elections.
With our correspondent in Istanbul, Alexis Bedu
At Sultanbeyli market, prices change daily. From simple to double sometimes for a kilo of tomato or a liter of oil. ” It has become very difficult to shop, says a resident of the city. I wanted to take 2 kg of fruit, but I will only take one today. »
” People can’t buy what they want, so everyone is waiting for the election. If Kemal Kiliçdaroglu takes power, prices will go down, I’m sure “, explains a local resident.
Inflation is still at 50%. In this district, which votes mainly for the AKP of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the protest is mounting, explains Erkan, a resident who came to do his shopping:
” The government must go. And whoever replaces it will allow us to live better in one or two years. We will win. Any logical person should vote against the government. »
Omer Faruk Bilgin runs a grocery store on the main avenue. He doesn’t have the same vision. ” Prices have risen of course, he said, but wages have also increased. Change is needed, but the government must stay in place, the other options are not up to scratch. »
The youth vote will be decisive. For these elections, there will be six million first-time voters, who have known since their birth only one man in power: Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
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