Survey shows most Turks blame government policies for economic crisis

A new public opinion survey conducted by the research firm Yoneylem Research indicates that a majority of Turkish citizens blame government policies and leadership failures for the country's ongoing economic crisis.

The survey, titled "Citizen Perception on the Causes of the Economic Crisis," was conducted between July 27-31 among a sample of 2,100 people across 27 provinces. It has a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of +/- 2.14%.

When asked about the drivers of Turkey's economic woes, 57% of respondents cited the presidential system of government as a significant cause. The administration of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan transitioned the country to an executive presidential system in 2018, consolidating power within the presidency.

Additionally, 72% blamed a lack of merit in the administration for the economic turmoil, while 77% pointed to mistakes in economic policymaking. In contrast, 32% accepted the government's argument that foreign powers are attacking Turkey's economy.

The survey highlights Turkish citizens' deep pessimism and frustration over the state of the economy under Erdogan's rule. The lira has crashed to record lows, inflation has soared over 80%, and living costs have become unbearable for many households.

The Turkish public believes that weak leadership practices and misguided government policies are the leading causes of the economic crisis rather than outside factors. The survey results indicate that as long as the financial pressure exists, citizens will keep putting pressure on the government for answers and competence.