As widely expected , the beneficial boost to the Turkish Lira from yesterday’s emergency 3% hike in the late liquidity window rate by the Turkish Central Bank did not even last one full day, and on Thursday the Turkish Lira collapse resumed, with the currency reversing much of yesterday’s gains, sliding as much as 3.5% – the biggest decline across Emerging Markets – amid the previously discussed concerns that the rate hike will provide only temporary support.

The central bank acted after three weeks of turbulence in the currency market, with the lira rallying 2 percent by the end of Wednesday, although as of this morning those gains are now lost, and judging by the chart below, Erdogan’s demand that Turks not exchange their rapidly devaluing currency into dollars and other foreign currency has made them do just that.

Additionally, as Bloomberg’s Stephen Kirkland notes, the market is about to test president Erdogan’s vow not to intervene in monetary policy: “beyond fueling the debate over whether Turkey’s 300bp was enough, today’s lira about-face also tests the central bank’s tightening resolve, as well as Erdogan’s vow of allegiance to global principles of monetary policy.”

It’s still early going for Turkey’s topsy-turvy market and the next catalyst comes from Erdogan himself, as he kicks off his re-election campaign today. Key to stabilizing the lira will be his tone and whether he sticks to yesterday’s script, especially since his past comments involved blaming higher rates for inflation and accusing speculators of attacking the economy.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who’s seeking re-election in a June 24 vote, didn’t specifically mention the rate increase in a televised speech Wednesday, but sought to reassure investors by pledging allegiance to global principles on monetary policy.  He’s due to kick off a campaign for re-election on Thursday, as polls suggest he may face a tougher challenge than in the past.

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