As Turkish authorities grapple with the agony of a mounting death toll from the deadliest earthquake in a century, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is confronting a parallel crisis: the disaster’s blow to an economy that was already in urgent need of repair.The quake, which has killed over 40,000 people in Turkey and thousands more in neighboring Syria, will saddle Ankara with a staggering reconstruction bill and weakened economic growth, posing a fresh challenge to Mr. Erdogan as he seeks a third four-year term and maintain a grip on his political fortunes ahead of a crucial presidential election in May.Before the devastation, which also left millions homeless, Turkey was already reeling from a collapsing currency and runaway inflation that …
