The presidential election in Türkiye is considered dramatic and unpredictable. Although leading his opponent with a rate of 49.35% - 45%, incumbent President Tayyip Erdogan - the leader of Türkiye for the past 20 years, still could not overcome the 50% threshold needed to win the election in the first round. According to the Chairman of the Supreme Election Council of Türkiye, all ballot boxes in the country have been opened and the voter turnout rate is 88.92%.
Mr. Kemal Kilicdaroglu (left) and Mr. Tayip Erdogan. (Photo: FT)
This presidential election in Türkiye is of great significance, a turning point in the past 100 years, not only deciding who will lead Türkiye, but also influencing future decisions in managing the country, solving the cost of living crisis, and shaping the foreign policy of this NATO member country in the coming period. As soon as the first results were announced, both candidates sought to energize voters with statements about future policies.
“Currently, the majority in parliament belongs to our People's Alliance. Therefore, we have no doubt that the national choice will help ensure confidence and stability in the presidential election,” President Erdogan stressed.
Candidate Kilicdaroglu - representing an electoral alliance of six opposition parties - has pledged to reassess President Erdogan's policies towards secular politics and revive the country's economy.
“Elections cannot be won on balconies. If voters decide to have another round of voting, we are ready. We will definitely win in the second round. Everyone will see that,” Kilicdaroglu said.
Turkish voters' top concerns are the state of the economy and the damage caused by the February earthquake. Even before the quake, Türkiye was struggling with rising prices and a currency crisis that sent inflation to 85% in October.
However, the momentum in the second round of the election is not just between the two candidates. With 5.17% of the vote in the first round, the third-place candidate in the first round, Sinan Ogan of the Ancestral League, now has enough support to swing the vote in favor of Mr. Erdogan or Mr. Kilicdaroglu.
Mr. Sinan Ogan is a hardliner on immigration and choosing an alliance with any side is expected to affect Türkiye's domestic and foreign policies in the future.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel congratulated Turkish voters yesterday and said they were closely following the election. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia respects the choice of the Turkish people. In any case, bilateral cooperation will be maintained and further strengthened.
Thu Hoai (VOV1)
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