Turkey: Before the election, Erdogan increases wages in the state sector by 45 percent

Five days before the presidential and parliamentary elections, the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said that he was increasing the salaries of public sector workers by 45 percent.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the oppositionist they say he is the only man who can defeat Erdogan, according to polls, has a great chance of winning the upcoming elections.

Erdogan announced the salary increase at a meeting in Ankara, where the economic and social rights of public sector workers were discussed.

"We are increasing salaries by 45 percent, including the share of social assistance," Erdogan said, according to the Turkish government's official website. 

He added that he will continue to work on increasing the salaries and pensions of civil servants.

Economy – the main asset

Turkey's economy is a key issue ahead of the announced elections. The unusual interest rate cuts ordered by Erdogan resulted in the devaluation of the Turkish lira in late 2021 and pushed inflation to a 24-year high.

The country's faltering economy, further shaken by devastating earthquakes in February, was a major blow to Erdogan's presidential campaign.

The president, who has led Turkey for the past 20 years, is basing his campaign on the promise of lower interest rates as a way to solve the economic crisis. He also promised to reduce inflation and boost economic growth.

The elections scheduled for May 14 have been assessed as "the most uncertain elections" in Turkish history.

ZS/Al Jazeera