Simit Seller Şaziye is Muhtar Candidate in Sivas

Women candidates are a rare sight in Turkish politics, national and local.

Şaziye Saygın, a 58-year-old woman who earns her living by selling simit, the Turkish sesame-covered bagel, has decided to stand as candidate for neighbourhood official in her neighbourhood in Sivas, central Anatolia.

The three other candidates are all men.

After becoming annoyed with the current official (muhtar), she decided not only not to vote for him again but to stand herself.

Saygın says that she is aware of the problems in her neighbourhood, and that, if she were elected, she would deal with them and offer useful services.

Her aim is to create a women’s cultural centre in order to train “productive, not consumerist women”. She also promises to create sports areas for the young.

Calling on her neighbours to vote for her, Saygın said that she would continue to sell simit if she were elected. (EZÖ/AG)