Staying with Turkey. The lira's stumble comes a month before Turkey's parliamentary and presidential elections. The timing has made some people wonder if unstable financial markets might turn the tide against incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Guan Xin reports.

The Turkish lira has had a couple of bad weeks. The currency remains under tremendous pressure despite central bank intervention on Monday. The stress comes from high inflation and Erdogan's comments about taking more control of Turkey's monetary policy.

BURAK KANLI, CHIEF ECONOMIST QNB FINANSINVEST "Some analysts also attribute the lira's slump to the strengthening US dollar and possible federal rate increases."

FILIZ KATMAN, ASST. PROFESSOR ISTANBUL AYDIN UNIVERSITY "However, some Turkish officials say that the lira turmoil is no coincidence, given that the country's parliamentary and presidential elections are just a month away. Market watchers also are voicing skepticism over the timing. They point out that the June elections mark a critical juncture in Turkey's move from a parliamentary democracy to an executive presidency that will give Erdogan sweeping new powers. They note that some 'foul play' by outside forces can't be ruled out".

FILIZ KATMAN, ASST. PROFESSOR ISTANBUL AYDIN UNIVERSITY "But others say the impact of the currency fluctuations on the June 24th elections is limited and will be over soon."