What is the one similarity between dictators around the globe, whether it be in Venezuela, North Korea, or Turkey? All are Michelin star chefs suggesting, in fact, forcing new eating habits and palettes upon its populace.
Ankara, led by its madman President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has turned to vegetarianism to save the precious Lira from further depreciating as food wastage hurts the country’s economy by increasing food inflation.
Reportedly, Turkish lawmaker Zülfü Demirbağ who belongs to Erdogan’s AKP party remarked, “Instead of eating 1-2 kilos of meat monthly, let’s eat half a kilo. We buy 2 kilos of tomatoes and half of them go to the trash. Well, let’s get 2 tomatoes,”
Moreover, Erdogan and his minions believe that if the rule of law is respected, even Greenpeace would be jealous of the Turkish regime’s green push.
The falling Lira
As reported extensively by TFI, Turkey used to be a prosperous economy. In fact, it used to be a bright shining spot as a liberal democracy, and a NATO member with a high economic growth rate. However, Erdoğan’s Islamist policies have destroyed the Turkish economy.
According to CNBC, inflation in Turkey is now near 20 percent, meaning basic goods have skyrocketed in price, and Turks’ local currency salaries are severely devalued.
Erdoğan opposes any move to hike interest rates even as Turkey faces very high inflation rates and a constantly depreciating currency. Currently, 1 US Dollar is equivalent to 12.43 Turkish Lira. Its value has declined in double digits in the last one month, from around 10 Lira per USD to 12.43.
Erdogan and his petulance for Islamic banking:
Turkish, as well as World economists, have been stubbornly arguing that interest rates must be raised to restrict inflation. But Erdoğan believes that higher interest rates will further push inflation.
Sources privy to the matter believe that Erdogan is chained by the dogmas of Sharia, where increasing interest rates is seen as a frowned-upon practice.
In Islam, money has no intrinsic value – money, therefore, cannot be sold at a profit and is permitted to be used as per Sharia only. Meaning, there is no concept of charging interest in Islamic banking. Even if there is, the profits are minimized.
The Turkish President keeps cutting interest rates at regular intervals and cracks down on rational economists in his government who advocate increasing interest rates. The inclusion in the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) grey list is further squeezing the life out of its economy and making the lives of ordinary citizens difficult.
Read More: FATF crushes Turkish Lira, Pakistani Rupee and Iranian Rial
The major source of foreign currency and one of the significant parts of the Turkish economy was tourism, which collapsed with the onslaught of the coronavirus.
Exports to Arab countries, the next big source of American dollars is also set to collapse amid the calls of the boycott of Turkish goods, which is giving sleepless nights to the Turks.
Desperation has caused Erdogan to beg in front of the Arabs
Such has been the desperation that Erdogan, in addition to advising his people to turn to vegetarianism has also started to serenade its enemies to cough up the money. As reported by TFI, Ankara hosted Abu Dhabi’s Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan on Wednesday (November 24) and in hushed tones asked the prince to float a bloated bailout package.
An official statement from the Turkish president’s office read that the two leaders would discuss bilateral ties as well as steps that can be taken to expand cooperation. They would also exchange views on regional and international developments, and ways to increase economic cooperation.
Up until a year ago, Erdogan harbored dreams of reviving the glory of the Ottoman empire. The paunch faced Erdogan had all but proclaimed himself as the Khalifa of his imaginary kingdom and even ordered the royal corset to be sewed for him.
Read More: Economically Devastated Turkey is looking forward to the UAE buying it out
A Satvik Erdogan
Such was the grandeur of delusion that Turkey managed to persuade Pakistan to sever ties with its masters, Saudi Arabia and UAE, and join it instead. However, it appears that Erdogan must be feeling dizzy now, for the tables have turned.
Ankara is now knocking on the door of UAE and Saudi Arabia and trying to pacify the Arab overlords, all the whilst becoming an ascetic who is non-violent and eats ‘Satvik’ food.
