Turkey sees 'village uprising' as rural areas hit hard by liberal economic policies

Turkey's farmers, livestock producers and their related unions are emerging as a new and unexpected mass opposition in the country, staging rallies and marches to protest sustained heavy economic losses. Despite all their efforts to soothe the anger of Turkey's rural population, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government continue to grapple with this surprising opposition. As agricultural and livestock costs rise, farmers and livestock producers' products do not fetch appropriate prices, especially after the liberalizing of agricultural imports. The situation has prompted a near rebellion in rural areas impacted by the government's new economic policies, despite restrictions imposed by the state of emergency.

Businessmen are wary of directly challenging the Turkish state. They are intimidated by the arrests of scores of businessmen who have been accused of providing economic resources to the Gulen movement. The state has seized the properties and funds of many prominent companies.

Turkey’s oldest and most influential business association, the Turkish Industry and Business Association, or TUSIAD, has adopted a low profile. However, MUSIAD, the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association, has opted to fully back Erdogan. Professional organizations approved by Erdogan refrain from criticizing him and the government.

Labor unions are in a similar situation. Of Turkey's three major labor confederations, Turk-Is and Hak-Is are closer to the government, while DISK — the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions — is trying to survive under the difficult and restrictive conditions of the current state of emergency.