“We will not lose the economic war,” Erdogan said Aug. 10 after Friday prayers in the northern province of Bayburt during his tour of Black Sea provinces, Hurriyet daily reported.
“Those who have dollars, euros or gold under their pillows [savings at home] should go and exchange them with the [Turkish] lira. This is a national struggle. This will be my nation’s response to those who have declared an economic war,” he added.
While the Turkish Lira continued to tumble, Erdogan also addressed locals during his first trip to his hometown in the Black Sea province of Rize following the June 24 elections late Aug. 9.
“We will work a lot and we will try to make our country more modern with all of its 81 provinces, God willing. Just know that we are better than yesterday now, and tomorrow we will be better than today. Don’t worry,” he said.
“There are various campaigns. Don’t care about them. And don’t forget that if they have their dollars, we have our people and our God ... I want your patience and ardour,” said Erdogan, as the Turkish currency lost more than 35 percent value against the greenback since the end of last year.
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