69 percent of Turks hold gov't responsible for electricity price hikes

Duvar English

Some 69 percent of Turkish citizens hold the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government responsible for the recent price hikes in electricity, according to a poll conducted by Metropoll Research.

The survey respondents were asked who they hold "the most responsible" for the price hikes in electricity. 

Some 69 percent of the survey participants answered the "government," while 3.7 percent said "electricity distribution companies," 2.2 percent said "privatization," and 2.1 percent said "there was a problem worldwide." 

The survey results were shared by Metropoll head Özer Sencar on Twitter on March 1.

In a second question, the respondents were asked how electricity price hikes affected their confidence in the government.

Some 46.1 percent said they have no confidence left, while 26.6 percent said their confidence level decreased.

The survey also gave a breakdown analysis of citizens according to which political party they favor.

Accordingly, 32.3 percent of AKP voters said they either lost their confidence totally or it decreased. Some 58.3 percent of AKP voters said their confidence stayed the same. 

As for the voters of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), 45.7 percent said they have either no confidence left or it decreased. 

On the first day of 2022, Turkey increased gas prices by 25 percent and electricity prices by 50-125 percent.

After the heavy criticisms and decrease in the purchasing power of the Turkish people, the government reduced the value-added tax (VAT) on electricity used in residences and agricultural irrigation to 8% from 18% this week.