Erdogan vs Kilicdaroglu
Runoff election in Turkey is entering the hot phase
Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a campaign event. photo
© Francisco Seco/AP
Every vote counts in the presidential runoff. The incumbent Erdogan and his challenger also know this and are heating up their supporters. Kilicdaroglu is worried about election security.
Before the decisive runoff election for the presidency in Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu called on their supporters to vote.
In a speech in Istanbul, Erdogan demanded that people go to the polls early in the morning and convince others to vote. His alliance of nationalists, Islamists and conservatives will win a “historic victory,” he said. His challenger, Kilicdaroglu, called on “those who love their homeland” to “protect the ballot boxes.”
In the first round of the presidential election two weeks ago, turnout was historically high at around 87 percent. Erdogan just missed the absolute majority and was around 4.7 percentage points ahead of his challenger Kilicdaroglu. The two must compete against each other in a runoff election on Sunday.
Voting is carefully observed
According to preliminary data, Erdogan’s government alliance was able to hold the majority in parliament. International election observers criticized an unfair election campaign and a lack of transparency in voting.
The vote is also being closely observed internationally. Turkey is a NATO member, EU candidate and hosts millions of refugees from Syria. During the Ukraine war, she maintained good relations with both Kiev and Moscow.
Opposition leader Kilicdaroglu represents a broad coalition of six parties. He promises to democratize the country. The pro-Kurdish HDP also called on its voters to support Kilicdaroglu.
In addition to the ailing economy, the dominant topic before the second round was migration. Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu have since secured the support of right-wing politicians.
Third place supports Erdogan
Third-placed Sinan Ogan supports Erdogan in the second round. Kilicdaroglu, in turn, signed a declaration on Wednesday with Ümit Özdag, head of the right-wing Victory Party, stating that an agreement had been reached on the return of “all refugees and illegal immigrants” within a year.
According to preliminary figures, Özdag’s party received 2.2 percent of the votes in the parliamentary elections two weeks ago. The agreement caused resentment even in Kilicdaroglu’s alliance. Although Kilicdaroglu had previously promised the repatriation of refugees, he now sharpened his tone significantly.
Opposition could face further repression
Should Erdogan be re-elected, the question arises as to how he intends to get the economic problems under control. In terms of foreign policy, Erdogan is likely to continue his policy of rapprochement in the region. Relations with the EU and the US will likely remain strained. But he will also have to approach Europe because he urgently needs investments. The opposition may face further repression if they are defeated.
Around 61 million people are invited to vote. Turkish citizens in Germany have already voted. Polling stations in Turkey open at 7:00 a.m. (CEST) and close at 4:00 p.m. (CEST). The first partial results, which initially have little significance, are expected in the evening.