Continuation of the economic crisis in Turkey, worsening problems of the poor and middle classes

 The publication of the latest statistics has proven that the increase in prices combined with rising inflation creates serious problems in the field of purchasing power of the people, and Turkish citizens, especially the middle classes, have significantly lost their purchasing power. In this context, according to the official report of the Turkish Union of Trade Unions, known as Türk-İş, in January this year, according to the data on the poverty and hunger line, it was seen that the hunger limit reached serious levels, and a family of 4 living in Ankara had to pay 15 thousand 89 lira for food; Moreover, even though this expenditure was 14 thousand 431 liras until a month ago. On the other hand, monthly inflation in Istanbul was 6.72 percent in January and 76.17 percent on an annual basis. Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) announced that monthly inflation was 2.93 percent in December. According to TÜİK, annual inflation in 2023 was 64.77 percent. This is the highest annual inflation rate in Turkey in the last 22 years. According to the Inflation Research Group (ENAG), annual inflation was 127.21 percent in 2023. The monthly increase in December was calculated as 4.1 percent. Entering the new year with increases shows that the monthly increase in inflation in January will push double digits. Istanbul inflation, which is considered a leading indicator for TÜİK inflation, increased to 76.17 percent annually. The monthly increase was 6.72 percent. Meanwhile, for a year now, the majority of the middle class of Turkish society has become bank debtor. So much so that one in every four people in Turkey's population of eighty-five million is considered a bank debtor. In this context, Turkish economic analysts say that this situation is unprecedented in their country and that one of the main reasons for the crisis is the dysfunction of the government's work and Erdogan's government policies. Yılmaz, one of the famous Turkish economists, says: "Inflation in Turkey has brought the middle class to the point of extinction. The main reason for the continuous deterioration of the Turkish economy and the imbalance in income distribution was the policy of reducing bank interest rates, which lasted from September 2021 to mid-2023 and caused many losses." It goes without saying that the middle classes of any society are considered to actually build the foundation of that society. In fact, the destruction of the middle class leaves irreparable effects on any society. While Turkey's economic crisis continues, Municipal Council elections will be held soon and as this process continues, the votes of the people of this country will undoubtedly turn towards other active parties in the political turmoil in Turkey./