The rise in consumer prices officially exceeded 21% year-on-year, in large part due to the fall of the pound, which has seen its value drop more than 45% against the dollar since the start of the year. . Not only do these bad official figures make the cost of living difficult for many families, the opposition and economists consider them to be underestimated.
With our correspondent in Istanbul, Anne Andlauer
Ömer, a bulk tobacconist, lies in wait for the customer at the foot of the Galata Bridge. He gets carried away when asked how he’s doing right now. ” It’s been three months since I ate meat, he says. Power says it’s the fault of foreign forces. The truth is that our purchasing power cannot keep up with that of the presidential palace. The lights in our homes go out to illuminate the palate. But according to the official media, life would not be so expensive! “
For Tolga, an engineer, inflation is not necessarily synonymous with deprivation. But it remains a reality. ” Everything has increased a lot, he explains. Two years ago, with 200 pounds, I filled the refrigerator. Today, I barely fill a shelf or two. “
“ On the pretext that the dollar is rising, they have inflated their prices ”
Erhan, a knife salesman, does not deny inflation. But he says he does not suffer from it. “ Take this knife: last week I was selling it for 20 pounds. But our suppliers are opportunists: on the pretext that the dollar is rising, they have inflated their prices. So I am selling this knife for 30 pounds. And people are buying it! They bought it at 20, they buy it at 30, they will buy it if I sell it for 50. What I mean is that people can still afford to buy … exaggerate. “
In Turkey, the debate on rising consumer prices also concerns statistics. The Inflation Research Group (ENAGrup), made up of independent economists, estimates that it has exceeded 58% over the past 12 months, against 21% according to the authorities.