Will 16 million retirees be the key to victory in local election?
As Turkey approaches the local elections every day, especially in major cities, parties’ candidates are announcing consecutive promises to improve the economic conditions of retirees. So how will local governments take on the responsibilities of the central government?
Hüseyin Gökçe, the Ankara News Director of the Economy Newspaper, reminds us that as the local election campaigns continue, especially in major cities, candidates from parties are making numerous promises to 16 million retirees, and he notes that the dosage of these promises is increasing day by day.
Gökçe also mentioned that promises were diversifying every day, including cash flow support and free use of some services. In his article he stated the following opinions:
“Turkey is preparing to go to the polls again on March 31, ten months after the general elections. Political parties have now shifted all their weight towards the election, focusing on leaders and candidates.
Content changes as the election approaches
As the election approaches, the promises made by political parties and candidates to the electorate are visibly increasing. However, unlike previous local elections, there is a noticeable change in the content of the promises made by the candidates in this election. In the elections to be held in 16 days, candidates are directly addressing various groups rather than focusing on infrastructure, making promises to improve their conditions.
Retirees are in the forefront
In this context, retirees, numbering more than 16 million, are undoubtedly at the forefront. Candidates running for mayor in many provinces, especially Ankara and Istanbul, are making commitments to provide direct cash support to retirees as well as to allow them to benefit from some services for free or at discounted rates. Although not as numerous as retirees, there are also many promises, including direct cash support for millions of students. Retirees, who should actually be included in the programs of central governments or government candidates, have now come into focus in local elections.
“What about retirees living in small towns and districts?”
It is also worth mentioning that local officials or candidates who see issues that are the responsibility of the central government as their duty should consider other groups living under the same socioeconomic conditions when determining their promises.
What will happen to retirees who do not live in metropolitan cities or who migrate to other provinces because they cannot afford to live in major cities?
Dosage is increasing
If the candidates do not forget the promises they made before the election after taking office, limited resources will be allocated to retirees living in major cities.
Considering that the winning of municipal presidencies in Istanbul and Ankara, which make up exactly 25% of Turkey’s population, will have a significant impact on the general politics, we should not be surprised that the dosage of promises is increasing.”
Original article (in Turkish) by Hüseyin Gökçe, the Ankara News Director of the Economy Newspaper
Translated and edited by BTT
