A recent SONAR survey, titled ‘Turkey’s Preferences Survey’, reveals growing economic concerns and a significant demand for early elections among Turkish citizens. The results indicate widespread skepticism toward the government’s economic policies and financial management.
Economic Outlook: Worsening Conditions Expected
According to the survey, 61.3% of respondents believe that Turkey’s economy will deteriorate in the next six months. The majority (64.8%) also reject the government’s economic recovery narrative, stating that their financial situation worsened over the past year.
The survey highlights severe financial struggles, with 65.3% of participants reporting difficulty meeting basic expenses such as food, rent, and utility bills. Only 30% of respondents said they had no trouble paying for essentials.
When asked about Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz’s statement that ‘confidence in the Turkish lira is increasing, and reserves are breaking records,’ only 15% found it credible, while a staggering 70.1% dismissed it.
Rising Costs and Inflation Concerns
The cost-of-living crisis remains a top concern, with 83.8% of respondents identifying living expenses, education, and poverty as Turkey’s most pressing issues.
- 79.1% expect food prices to rise during Ramadan.
- 82.2% find recent salary hikes (11.5% for civil servants, 15.7% for pensioners) inadequate.
- 65.5% said they lack the financial capacity to invest in gold, while only 5.1% increased their gold investments.
The most financially affected demographics include:
- University graduates (68.5%)
- Pensioners and citizens over 65 (68.6%)
- Women (65.5%)
Political Repercussions: Calls for Early Elections
Public dissatisfaction is extending beyond economic concerns into political sentiment:
- 57.8% of respondents support early elections.
- 66% believe ongoing investigations against opposition-run municipalities are biased.
- 58.3% oppose the fake diploma investigation against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
- 46.9% disapprove of probes into Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TÜSİAD) leaders Orhan Turan and Ömer Aras.
Mounting Discontent and Political Uncertainty
The SONAR survey paints a picture of rising public discontent, fueled by economic hardships, inflation, and skepticism toward government policies. The growing support for early elections suggests that political pressure on the ruling party may continue to intensify as economic concerns dominate the national conversation.