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The first pictures of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s luxurious new summer residence on the Aegean coast have sparked outrage at a time when ordinary Turks are struggling to feed their families, The National reports.

The architect this week released details of the sprawling complex north of Marmaris, which is valued at $74 million. The images show the airy, high-ceilinged interiors of the buildings as well as a swimming pool and private beach.

Although the lavish complex was completed two years ago, it is the first time the public has seen images of it. They were released as the Covid-19 pandemic compounded long-standing economic problems, leading to heightened poverty.

Perhaps more embarrassing for Mr Erdogan, the images of his summer retreat were released shortly after his wife, Emine Erdogan, advised people to cut their meal portions to stop waste.

Her comments led to rebukes, with many highlighting Mrs Erdogan's taste for luxury brands.

“They tell us to cut down on our food but they have money to spend on handbags and to build luxury palaces in Marmaris,” said Hasan Ozbilek, 71, a pensioner who sells tissues on the streets of Istanbul.

“The president has always said he represents ordinary people, and he came from humble roots himself, but now we see that he lives like a sultan while everyone else struggles.”

“People are sick and tired of this,” said Burak Erbay, an opposition MP for Mugla, the province where the new presidential palace is located.

“It’s not only about the [palace] here, there’s the one in Ankara, the one in Van. It’s about all these private aeroplanes, jets. While people are struggling to put bread on the table, they see all this luxury and extravagance and of course, they get angry,” he said.