When Recep Tayyip Erdogan won the elections on November 3, 2002, no one expected that he would manage to stay in power for 20 years and that he would seek another five-year term in the 2023 elections. Yet Erdogan succeeded. now, as president of Turkey, he promises a “century of Turkey” like his campaign slogan, i.e. better days in this century.

Analysts believe that this general promise of better days is directly related to the dramatic impoverishment of the Turkish people over the past two years. Almost all Turkish citizens admit that up until 2019, under Erdogan, their lives improved financially. However, economists emphasize that since 2020, the economic policy of the Turkish government has nothing to do with a successful past.

Official inflation reached 85.5% in October, according to the Turkish Statistical Office, but real inflation hit triple digits.

The figures showing the sudden impoverishment of the Turks shock political and economic analysts. The basic wage today is 5,500 Turkish lira (298 euros), and according to the Birgun newspaper, a Turkish worker with a basic wage could buy 2,127 loaves of bread in 2021, while today he can only buy 1,100 loaves of bread. In 2021, again, with the same salary, he could buy 850 kg of sugar, this year only 197 kg. Out of 2913 eggs in 2021, this year he can buy 2115. With this salary in 2021, he will buy 251 liters of milk, while this year his capacity will be enough for only 178 liters, and out of 680 packages (500 grams) of spaghetti in this a Turkish worker can buy 523 packages.

Under these conditions, Tayyip Erdogan will fight for his re-election. His lavish promises, such as cheap public housing for the poor, and nationalist rhetoric are boosting the ratings of the ruling party, as well as that of his government partner, Devlet Bahceli. However, there is a way to achieve the required percentage of 50.1%.

The youth will play a decisive role in these elections. Of the 62 million voters, 20 million are under 30.

The youth will also play a decisive role in these elections. Of the 62 million voters, 20 million are under 30. According to a recent poll, 87% of young people believe the economic crisis will worsen in the next three months. 84% report that their financial situation will worsen, and these figures are considered especially important for the outcome of the election.

A key role in the elections will be played by the position of the opposition parties, which have not yet nominated their presidential candidate. Republican People’s Party President Kemal Kilicdaroglu and Ankara Mayor Mansour Yavas are among the names that sound like favorites. However, there are reports that opposition parties may surprise and nominate former Turkish President Abdullah Gul as their candidate. Gul was a co-founder of the Justice and Development Party of Turkey, Erdogan’s travel companion. He was also prime minister and minister of foreign affairs. Opposition speculates that his name may also attract some AKP voters disillusioned with the current situation.

Experienced political analysts remind that today there is no one of those who started their journey in 2002 next to Erdogan. Abdullah Gul, former Finance Minister Ali Babacan, former Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, former Vice President Bulent Aris and many other fellow travelers. he is no longer around.

A photo at the opening of the Togg electric car factory may point to Erdogan’s current entourage. Next to the Turkish president in a commemorative photo were former Prime Minister Tansu Çiler, who provoked the topic of shrines, and Nationalist Action Party President Devlet Bahceli, who was deputy prime minister during the 2001 economic crisis. , as well as Dogu Perincek, who is the president of the Patrida party. A former communist, now a nationalist, a supporter of Russia’s positions, while some opposition media claim that he has many connections within the state apparatus.

To change the environment of Tayyip Erdogan, perhaps, the observation of an experienced journalist who mentioned that “once upon a time, Ahmet Kay’s songs were also heard at many meetings of Erdogan (p. Now there are none. Now more songs and hymns are heard from the Janissaries.”