Erdogan Takes Early Lead in Historic Turkish Vote

Sun May 28 2023
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ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken an early lead in a historic runoff election, paving the way for a potential extension of his dominant Islamic rule until 2028. With over 94 percent of the vote counted, Erdogan is currently leading his secular opposition rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, according to the official Anadolu state news agency.

While Erdogan maintains an advantage, the gap is narrowing as more results are being tallied. A rival count released by the pro-opposition Anka news agency suggests a closely contested race, with both candidates locked in a dead heat. As counting continues, Erdogan has secured 52.43 percent of the votes, while Kilicdaroglu has garnered 47.57 percent.

Erdogan, who has been the longest-serving leader in Turkey, has defied critics and skeptics by establishing a comfortable lead in the first round of voting on May 14. Kilicdaroglu, on the other hand, has formed a formidable coalition, uniting Erdogan’s former disillusioned allies with secular nationalists and religious conservatives.

The outcome of this election carries significant implications for Turkey, as it could potentially extend Erdogan’s rule and consolidate his Islamic-style governance for another decade. As final results are awaited, the nation eagerly anticipates the official declaration of the winner.

However, Turkey’s pro-opposition Fox news channel noted that most of the early votes counted by state media came from regions in Anatolia that heavily favor Erdogan.

A separate vote count published by the pro-opposition Anka news agency shows Kilicdaroglu in the lead with 51 percent, while Erdogan trails with 49 percent.

Turkish polling stations closed on Sunday, marking the end of a historic runoff election that could potentially extend President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two-decade-long rule with his dominant yet divisive Islamic style until 2028.

Despite facing criticism and doubts, Erdogan, the country’s longest-serving leader and a member of NATO, emerged from the first round on May 14 with a comfortable lead over his secular challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Kilicdaroglu formed a formidable coalition, uniting Erdogan’s disillusioned former allies with secular nationalists and religious conservatives. Opposition supporters viewed this election as a critical opportunity to prevent Turkey from becoming an autocracy under a leader whose consolidation of power rivals that of Ottoman sultans.

After casting his ballot in Turkey’s first presidential runoff, Kilicdaroglu stated, “I invite all my citizens to cast their ballot in order to get rid of this authoritarian regime and bring true freedom and democracy to this country.”

Despite facing one of the world’s worst cost-of-living crises and predictions of his defeat by nearly every opinion poll, Erdogan secured an almost five-point lead in the first round.

Looking tired but at ease, the 69-year-old president, accompanied by his wife Emine, voted in a conservative district of Istanbul. Erdogan urged his citizens to vote without complacency, stating, “I ask my citizens to turn out and vote without complacency.”

One voter, Emir Bilgin, heeded Erdogan’s call, saying, “I’m going to vote for Erdogan. There’s no one else like him.” Bilgin spoke from a working-class neighborhood in Istanbul, where the young future president once played street football.

Erdogan’s Political Rival

Kilicdaroglu underwent a transformation after the first round. The former civil servant’s message of social unity and freedoms gave way to a more right-wing approach focused on expelling migrants and combating terrorism, targeting nationalists who emerged as winners in the parallel parliamentary elections.

While Kilicdaroglu had always adhered to the firm nationalist principles of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the revered military commander who founded Turkey and the secular CHP party, he intensified his nationalist rhetoric. This shift was an attempt to appeal to voters who prioritize national interests.

Analysts remain skeptical about the success of Kilicdaroglu’s strategy. His informal alliance with a pro-Kurdish party, which Erdogan portrays as the political wing of banned militants, left him vulnerable to accusations of working with “terrorists.” Furthermore, Kilicdaroglu’s courtship of Turkey’s hard right was hindered by the endorsement Erdogan received from an ultra-nationalist candidate who finished third in the previous round.

Some opposition supporters expressed a sense of defeat after casting their votes. Bayram Ali Yuce, speaking from one of Istanbul’s heavily anti-Erdogan neighborhoods, said, “Today is not like the last time. I was more excited then. The outcome seems more obvious now. But I still voted.”

Erdogan’s popularity stems from his support among poorer and more rural segments of Turkey’s society, who appreciate his promotion of religious freedoms and modernization efforts in the Anatolian heartland.

The state of Turkey’s economy will pose an immediate challenge for the winner of the election. Erdogan’s unorthodox approach to central banking, prioritizing low interest rates to combat inflation, has led to a currency crisis and soaring inflation. Analysts warn of an impending day of reckoning for Turkey’s economy and financial markets.

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