“Where are the onions? I can’t cook green beans without onions,” a middle-aged woman tells the vendor at one of Turkey’s new “people’s vegetables stalls” in Istanbul. “Where’s the aubergine and peppers? If you don’t have those, then what’s the point?”
Several dozen people queued at the white tent in the middle of Taksim Square one morning last week, one of 150 set up in Istanbul and Ankara by President
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to combat what he calls “food terrorism” – a steep rise in the cost of basic goods that is souring public opinion against the government before crucial local elections on Sunday.
The stalls, which are selling vegetables below the market rate, are popular – and needed. The
lira crash last year has sent inflation soaring to 20% and last month Turkey entered a
recession – a sober end to years of an average of 5% economic growth, which has buoyed Erdoğan during his 16 years in office.
Turkey is not due to hold a general election until 2023. As a result, what should have been routine local elections have instead become a fiercely contested ballot fought not just on the fragile economy, but on Erdoğan’s stewardship itself. “In every election they do stuff like this. They say they’re helping out, but I don’t think these stalls will be here after voting day,” said Semra, 72, who supports the ruling Justice and Development (AK) party. “I still appreciate the help.”