Turkey's Financial Crisis Continues

Turkish lira banknotes are pictured at a currency exchange office in Istanbul, Turkey, Aug. 13, 2018.

Reuters: Erdogan has limited options to save Turkey from financial crisis

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - After 15 years in power as prime minister and president, Tayyip Erdogan faced down a weak opposition in June elections that swept away any checks and balances to the unchallenged rule he wanted. In Turkey he appears lord of all he surveys.

But his victory could become a poisoned chalice if he cannot resolve an angry feud with President Donald Trump that is pushing his country towards financial crisis.

Erdogan has limited options. Most involve a loss of face or a loss of sovereignty for which he alone would be blamed, having successfully marginalized not just a divided opposition but his own Justice and Development Party (AKP).

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Update: Turkish Inflation Soars, Fueling Fears of Economic Crisis (VOA).

WNU Editor: Turkey will need to refinance tens of billions of dollars in the coming months. The problem is that even if Ankara could cobble together a number of governments and banks to assist the Turkish treasury, it will be at sky-high interest rates that will only postpone the inevitable. Turkish President Erdogan will need to make up with President Trump, and to convince the White House to lift sanctions. But this may not be enough. Turkey has borrowed too much, and current government economic policy is not encouraging.

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