Göksel Hoyrazpınar, reportedly a ‘token citizen’ of the Turkish government, has frequently shown support for its policies. Notably, his endorsements are marked by the repetitive use of an identical photograph, raising questions about the authenticity of his support and its representation of public opinion.
The recent announcement of the new minimum wage in Turkey, set at 17,002 lira per month from 1 January 2024, has drawn criticism for being insufficient amid escalating living costs. Critics point out that it falls short of the 44,573 lira poverty line and the 18,000 lira hunger threshold. Amidst this, Hoyrazpınar was again seen praising the government for the wage increase.
In Turkey, there is a significant divide between pro-government commentators and independent observers over economic interpretations, especially regarding the minimum wage debate. Government supporters often highlight the nominal increase in the minimum wage as a sign of economic progress, neglecting factors like inflation and currency devaluation.
Conversely, independent analysts offer deeper insights. They use measures like the CPIAUCSL (Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers) to account for dollar inflation, exposing the gap between nominal and actual values. This analytical approach typically shows that the real purchasing power and living standards might not have improved in line with the nominal wage rise. It’s in these complex discussions that ‘token citizens’ like Hoyrazpınar are speculated to emerge, simplifying government policies for public consumption.
Hoyrazpınar’s frequent appearances in Sabah, a pro-government Turkish newspaper, and the uniformity of his endorsements have fuelled debate over the genuineness of his identity and opinions, with some suggesting he is a fabricated character. His continuous support for a variety of government policies, always with the same photograph, casts doubt on whether he is an authentic individual or a construct of propaganda.
His endorsements cover a broad spectrum, including the 2022 minimum wage policy, the 2023 election manifesto, market discounts at Agricultural Credit Cooperatives, and support for TOGG, Turkey’s national car project. It is conjectured that he might have provided a general consent, perhaps for compensation, allowing Sabah to use his likeness for coverage that seemingly validates government policies with citizen approval.
