German Media Highlights Why Turks Don’t Protest Despite Soaring Inflation

Germany’s public broadcaster ARD devoted a segment in its Tagesschau news program to Turkey’s economic crisis, noting that despite having one of the highest inflation rates in the world, the country has not seen widespread protests.

The report examined the reasons behind the public’s silence in the face of economic hardship, citing experts who pointed to two key factors: fear and strong family solidarity.

“Half of 50,000 Lira Goes to Rent”

The Tagesschau segment featured personal stories from Istanbul residents struggling to make ends meet.

Ahmet, a 50-year-old parking attendant, said the minimum wage of 22,000 lira — a figure that often includes mandatory social security contributions — is far from enough to cover basic needs.

Metin, a baker supporting his four-member family on a monthly income of 50,000 lira, described how the cost of living has skyrocketed:

“Five years ago, we could buy meat every week. Now, we can only afford it once a month. Meat has become a luxury,” he said.

Working from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, Metin added that his life now consists of little more than eating and sleeping.

“This is not a human life,” he said.

Middle Class Disappearing as Poverty Deepens

Economist Onur Canakcı, speaking to Tagesschau, argued that the minimum wage has effectively become the average income in Turkey, resulting in the erosion of the middle class.

He explained that what used to be the middle-income segment has now fallen into the lower-income bracket, resulting in a general decline in societal wealth.

“People don’t take to the streets because they are afraid,” Canakcı said, linking limited protests to widespread fear and repression.

“Rule of Law Is Essential for Economic Recovery”

Another economist, Alp Erinç Yeldan, told ARD that Turkey’s economic crisis cannot be explained solely by monetary policy.

According to Yeldan, problems in democracy, the erosion of the rule of law, and political interference in court decisions have destroyed investor confidence and directly harmed the economy.

“Turkey’s economic recovery depends not only on fiscal measures but also on a return to the rule of law,” Yeldan emphasized.

Turkey’s official inflation rate has remained among the highest globally, eroding purchasing power and pushing millions toward poverty. Yet, as the German report underscores, fear of political consequences and reliance on family support networks have so far prevented the kind of mass demonstrations seen in other crisis-hit nations.