Istanbul province generates 30% of Turkey’s GDP.
data.tuik.gov.tr
Yeah generates it but at the same time it gets the most investments.
Thanks to Istanbul some places got emptied out now Istanbul is no different to New York. A congested dysptopia.
When a war happens the Anatolian Heartland would be the ones to defend the country.
Even during Ottoman Times. Istanbul had the lowest conscription rate in the army. In other words they barely served in the army.
Politicians squabble over Istanbul because they believe if you rule Istanbul you rule the country.
Even during the Turkish independance war was a civil war between Istanbul and Ankara Government. Istanbul government was the Sultan and its reprenstatives while Ankara was headed by the Turkish national movement.
Erdogan is just pissed because he lost Istanbul. Instead of akp focusing on trying to get Istanbul back. They should focus on their own cities and provinces. They just see them as cattle nothing else for votes.