Protests against the government increase

Shouting “The AKP should resign” and “We do not have enough for a living” people in many cities took to the streets. The protests were attacked by the police in numerous places, and a ban on meetings and demonstrations has now been imposed in Istanbul.

For two days now, in Istanbul, protests have been taking place in several parts of the city. A planned rally by the Istanbul Alliance for Work, Peace and Democracy in Kadikoy was prevented by security forces and several violent arrests were made. In Avcilar, the rally site was cordoned off by the police, and a ban by the district administrator was imposed on demonstrations in Bakirköy. The crowd protested by beating pots, and at least one person was arrested. Ten demonstrators were arrested in Beylikdüzü.

“How should we survive the coming winter?”

In Amed the Platform for Work and Democracy issued a statement on the increased cost of living. The government condemns the population to unemployment and poverty, said activists, while “a handful of capitalists and government-affiliated corporations” benefit from it. For the working people and the poorer population, this devaluation means an increase in unemployment and an increase in the cost of living. Their debts are getting bigger and bigger, their bills are increasing,” said alliance spokesman Mehmet Ceylan.

The purchasing power has fallen and within the past month an extreme increase in the prices of petrol, gas and oil has come into force. Young men and women in particular are affected by unemployment. According to Ceylan, “we go to sleep every evening worrying about what will be more expensive the next day. We worry about how we can make ends meet with our wages and salaries, and how we can live on a minimum wage of $ 220 and an average wage of $300 for public employees.”

In view of the ongoing budget discussions for 2022, Ceylan called for a common struggle and for a change in tax regulations, an increase in the minimum wage and a secure basic and energy supply with electricity, water and gas for everyone.

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