Caroline Baudry (in Turkey) 07:28, May 11, 2023

Turkey is preparing to vote in Sunday's presidential election. After twenty years in power, the election almost takes the form of a referendum "for or against Erdoğan". Eaten away by inflation, the popularity of the Turkish president is no longer as high and the economic crisis has even convinced some Turks to slip another ballot into the ballot box for the first time.

REPORT

"We are living our last moments. If the government does not change, it is impossible for us to continue." Ramazan, a 50-year-old shepherd with the appearance of an old man, has his face carved by outdoor work. When the farmer is not chasing his goats and sheep, on a road between Istanbul and Bursa, he is chasing his debt: the equivalent of 30,000 euros. "Since 2015, it's over. Everything became expensive. What we give back is expensive, what we buy is expensive. In 2018, the haystack cost four to five pounds. Today, it is 110. I owe money to the banks, I owe money to grain farmers. I'm suffocated," he said.

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"My only hope is Kılıçdaroğlu"

For the first time in his life, he plans to vote for the opposition to Erdoğan. His piercing blue eyes watch his animals grazing along the highway. His smile is sad and his future uncertain. "I voted Erdoğan in the previous elections. I should have had both hands broken not to. My only hope is the opponent Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu," says the shepherd.

Ramazan has already reduced his herd and got rid of cows that are too expensive to feed. The little flock is now guided by Princess, his favorite sheep, the only one he is sure will never part with.