In Istanbul, organizers say thousands of people took part in a demonstration against President Erdogan’s economic policies. They protested against increasing poverty and for raising the minimum wage.
The Turkish economy is in dire straits. The Turkish lira has lost 43 percent of its value against the US dollar since the beginning of this year. In Istanbul, according to the city council, life has become 50 percent more expensive in a year.
A demonstration was also announced in the capital Ankara, but it did not come to that. The governor had issued a ban. At least 90 students were arrested before they could start their protest.
President Erdogan is blamed for inflation of more than 20 percent. He demanded last summer that interest rates should fall, because high interest rates would encourage inflation. Many economists believe that he is actually fueling inflation.
These are images of the demonstration against Erdogan in Istanbul:
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