Turkey Earthquake: President Erdogan was forced to change strategy due to the earthquake, what assurance is he giving to the public now?

Posted on 27th Feb 2023 by rohit kumar

The devastating earthquake that hit Turkey on February 6 left millions of people homeless. Thousands of houses have turned into a pile of rubble. More than 50 people have died and damages have been estimated at around US$80 billion. Turkey has hardly seen a bigger humanitarian disaster in its history, but this devastating earthquake has forced President Erdogan to completely change his strategy in Turkey's upcoming election.

 

Indeed, these elections may be the most symbolic, dramatic, and important in Turkey's modern history, as the election also marks 100 years since the founding of the Republic of Turkey. In such a situation, this election will decide what the country will do and how it will move forward in the coming decades.

 

Erdogan forced to change election strategy

President Erdogan has been in power in Turkey for almost 22 years. After the large-scale corruption in the construction of buildings was exposed after the earthquake, the danger of his losing power is also looming, as the public and the opposition parties are raising questions about it. In such a situation, he has changed his election strategy. The president's election campaign before February 6 (before the earthquake) focused on hyperinflation, the falling value of the Turkish lira, and rising food and energy prices, but now his strategy on getting people out of this disaster has become concentrated.

 

What is President Erdogan promising now?

President Erdogan is now trying to assure the Turkish people that he is the only one who can rebuild the destroyed houses and cities within a year. They are the ones who can ensure better conditions for the thousands who have been rendered homeless. Speaking to the residents of the quake-hit Osmania city, Erdogan said, "You give us one year." Within one year, we will build permanent homes and settle our citizens. We aim to revive our cities, and villages within a year. However, rebuilding the 270,000 housing units and removing the 230 million tons of debris would be extremely difficult. Nevertheless, President Erdogan wants people to believe that he is the only one who can do this.

 

Also Read: The most dangerous earthquake of the century in Turkey-Syria: more than 7 thousand aftershocks in 15 days, and the death toll crossed 47 thousand

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