Artvin retiree's market struggle: 'The money in our pocket has died'

Retirees in the Ardanuç district of Artvin are voicing deep concerns over the escalating cost of living, describing their financial struggles at the local market. Yaşar Kavaklı, a retiree, lamented the impact of high prices, stating, 'The money in my pocket has died, it's gone.' He explained that life is difficult for them as pensioners, highlighting the inadequacy of their incomes to meet daily needs.

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The money in my pocket has died, it's gone.

Mevlüt Akbulut, another retiree, noted the increasing difficulty of filling a shopping bag at the market. He described purchasing items as a necessity, even if prices are high, but emphasized that their pensions are quickly depleted. 'The salary is deposited and it's gone. We eat what we buy weekly. We have no other choice,' Akbulut said, illustrating the precarious financial situation.

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The salary is deposited and it's gone. We eat what we buy weekly. We have no other choice.

Muzaffer Altun criticized the current price levels, pointing out that while citizens cannot afford goods, the issue is not solely with producers but also with rising transportation and agricultural input costs. He expressed that citizens are struggling to cope, with some choosing to return to their villages rather than endure city life, describing the situation as 'unlivable.'

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Prices are also expensive. We looked, asked for prices, and couldn't buy anything properly. It's expensive. Grapes are 200 lira. But the reason for this expensiveness is not the citizen. Not the producer. Especially transportation costs, medicine costs are expensive in Turkey, an expensive market. The citizen can't stand this anyway. They say 'Damn it,' and flee to their village. They don't live in the city. It's unlivable. It's unlivable.

A different retiree, identifying as an AKP supporter, called for criticism of the situation regardless of political affiliation. They specifically targeted the price hikes by chain supermarkets, stating they are 'fed up.' The retiree noted that prices increase even before pensions are received and that price tags are changed overnight. They urged President Erdoğan to be sensitive to these issues, asserting their natural right to criticize when facing such economic hardship.

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We look at the market, we walk around the prices. What will happen? The market is expensive. I have to answer based on the situation, of course, without regard to politics. The price increases by chain supermarkets have made us sick. Let me say this as an AKP supporter. We are not satisfied with this situation at all. I am a retiree. Increases take away the money before we even see it. Increases come before we even get our salary. On top of that, you come the same night and see the price tags have started to change. What should the citizen do? If I vote, I have to criticize. That is my natural right. I wish all citizens would express their troubles and their complaints about these high price increases. I want our President to be sensitive to this.