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On Sunday May 14, Turkish citizens will elect their president and their deputies. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is running for re-election after 20 years in power, seems threatened for the first time by a rival, Kemal Kiliçdaroglu.
By Anne Andlauer, RFI correspondent in Istanbul
There are only four days of campaign left in Türkiye. For this reason, the candidates are throwing all their forces into battle, with two or even three daily public acts for each one. But there is an important difference between the two candidates. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, although his party, the AKP, has formed an alliance with four far-right or Islamist parties, he is often alone on stage. And it is to him that the crowds flock. Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, on the other hand, represents six very different parties and campaigns alongside the leaders of these parties, but also the very popular mayors of Istanbul and Ankara.
Sometimes there are two or three of them on the podium, sometimes all together, or each of them holds a rally in a different city at the same time, allowing the opposition to increase its strength tenfold. And this also represents what the Turks will vote for: either a one-man government or a consensus and coalition government.
Appeal to the undecided
The two main candidates seem to foresee a close result and for this reason they are working to convince the undecided. Kemal Kiliçdaroglu hopes to win votes from voters disappointed in Tayyip Erdogan, those who resent his declining purchasing power or his authoritarian rule. As for Erdogan, he has vowed to make peace with those whose hearts he might have “broken”, asking them to continue supporting him.
On both sides it is quite clear: they are trying to seduce the young, who are numerous among the undecided. In particular to those who vote for the first time, that is, around 8% of the electorate. Kemal Kiliçdaroglu promises to restore democracy and prosperity. Recep Tayyip Erdogan also promises them economic aid and tries to attract the most nationalists by praising Turkey’s technological advances under his presidency, especially in the defense industry.
tensions
However, this campaign finale takes place in an extremely tense, even violent context. There are the verbal attacks, especially harsh, by the government against Kemal Kiliçaroglu, constantly associated with terrorism. And there have been countless physical attacks on campaign offices, especially from the opposition.
Last weekend, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was stone-thrown during a rally in eastern Turkey. Seventeen people were injured.
This climate of violence fuels concern for voting day, election night and the days after, especially if the result is close or if Recep Tayyip Erdogan is defeated. Kemal Kiliçdaroglu called on his supporters to stay home on Sunday night, even if he wins. He spoke of the risk of “provocation” and the possible presence of “armed elements in the streets.”
