Thousands of people protested against the government in Turkey. In view of the currency crisis, he called for a rethinking of economic and social policy. In Ankara, the police apparently arrested 90 protesters.

In view of the currency crisis in Turkey, a large number of people demonstrated in Istanbul and Ankara. According to organisers, thousands of people took to the streets in the city of Istanbul. Protesters gathered in the Asian part of the city, holding signs that read: “Enough!” Left wing disc union called for protest.

At least 90 students were arrested in Ankara as part of the “We can’t find shelter” initiative. Despite the governor’s ban on demonstrations, he tried to gather in the capital. Since this summer, students have been protesting high rents and demanding affordable housing with various campaigns.

“People are poor”

The protest was triggered by a steady fall in the local currency, the lira, and a high inflation rate of over 20 per cent. For example, in Istanbul, according to the city administration, life has become more expensive by more than 50 percent within a year. Sunflower oil recorded the highest increase of 138 per cent.

The opposition, however, doubts the official figures on inflation and believes that the real rate of inflation is still quite high. Disc union general secretary Adnan Cerdaroglu warned on Hulk TV: “People are getting poorer.” He called for a significant increase in the monthly minimum wage from the current approximately 3,600 lira gross (about 230 euros).

Erdogan does not believe economists

According to critics, the background of the Lira crisis is, among other things, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s interference in the monetary policy of the central bank. He repeatedly emphasizes low interest rates and, contrary to current economic theory, holds the view that high interest rates promote inflation.

In early December, Erdogan faced dramatically high inflation exchanged his finance minister for the second time within weeks, The last change in the post took place in November itself.