03.10.2025 17:45
Mustafa Yılmaz, the Deputy Chairman of the Saadet Party, criticized the inflation figures for September released by TÜİK using a new term he called "Dürümflasyon" (Wrapflation). Holding a dürüm (wrap) while standing at the podium, Yılmaz stated, "In 2002, a student could buy exactly 86 chicken dürüms with their KYK scholarship. 23 years later, the same student can only buy 20 chicken dürüms with their KYK scholarship. Who is eating our young people's dürüms?"
Mustafa Yılmaz, the Deputy Chairman of the Felicity Party, evaluated the inflation figures for September released by TÜİK during a press conference. Yılmaz, who addressed inflation through a new concept he called "Dürümflasyon" using chicken dürüm and student scholarships, took the podium holding a chicken dürüm. He stated, "The best concept to explain inflation is neither hyperinflation nor stagflation nor disinflation; it is undoubtedly dürümflation."
"WE HAVE ALL BECOME INFLATION EXPERTS"
Reminding that one of the most debated topics in Turkey in recent years has been inflation, Yılmaz said, "So much so that the inflation data and the discussions surrounding it have made everyone in the country an economist. Inflation, hyperinflation, stagflation, disinflation, reflation, deflation… So many concepts have entered our lives during this period that we have all inevitably become inflation experts," he stated.
HE TOOK THE PODIUM WITH A CHICKEN DÜRÜM
Using the expression, "However, we want to add a new concept to these: that is dürümflation," Yılmaz said, "That’s why we came to today’s press conference with the chicken dürüm you see in my hand. So why? Because the best concept to explain real inflation is neither hyperinflation nor stagflation nor disinflation; it is undoubtedly dürümflation. There is no need for neoclassical explanations, heterodox approaches, or epistemological breaks," he evaluated.
"66 CHICKEN DÜRÜM HAVE DECREASED DURING THIS GOVERNMENT'S TERM"
Stating that his dürümflation calculations are based on very simple mathematics, Yılmaz said, "The dürümflation data is obtained by dividing the number of chicken dürüm a student can buy with the scholarship they receive from the state. We conducted a study on this with our friends. In this study, we reached really striking dürümflation figures. Today, a student in our country receives a 3,000 lira KYK scholarship. Although the price of an average chicken dürüm varies depending on its location and weight, it ranges from 100 lira to 200 lira. Therefore, we calculated based on an average of 150 lira. Accordingly, in 2002, when the AK Party came to power, a student could buy exactly 86 chicken dürüm with the KYK scholarship they received. So what is the situation today, 23 years later? Today, the same student can only buy 20 chicken dürüm with the KYK scholarship they receive. During this government’s term, exactly 66 chicken dürüm have decreased," he said.
"THE LOSS OF DÜRÜM COUNT IN TWO YEARS IS 11"
Making a 'dürümflation' calculation for the period that started after Mehmet Şimşek became the Minister of Treasury and Finance in June 2023, Yılmaz said, "So, what has happened to dürümflation during the term of our savior of the economy, the last inflation bender, Minister of Treasury and Finance Mr. Mehmet Şimşek? You know Mr. Şimşek was brought to the head of the economy in June 2023 with great expectations and promises. He had one priority: to bring the inflation monster under control. Let’s see what has happened to dürüm during the two years, that is, during Mr. Şimşek's term. In June 2023, when Mr. Şimşek took office, a university student could buy 31 chicken dürüm with the KYK scholarship they received. Today, however, the same student can only buy 20 chicken dürüm with the KYK scholarship they receive. The loss of dürüm count in two years is exactly 11," he stated.
"WHO IS EATING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE'S DÜRÜMS?"
Yılmaz asked, "Who is eating our young people's dürüms? Where have 66 dürüms gone in the last 23 years, and where have 11 dürüms gone in the last 2 years? If inflation is really decreasing, why are our dürüms not increasing? If the economy is really growing, why are our portions getting smaller?"
HE TREATED JOURNALISTS TO CHICKEN DÜRÜM
At the end of the press conference, Mustafa Yılmaz treated journalists to chicken dürüm, saying, "This is a treat from our Felicity Party, enjoy it."