Presidential election in Turkey: the surprise withdrawal of a small candidate strengthens the chances of the opposition

The first round of the presidential election in Turkey will be held on Sunday 14 May. The surprise withdrawal three days from the vote of candidate Muharrem Ince, of the opposition party Memleket, who was credited with 2% to 4% of voting intentions in the latest opinion polls, “strengthens the opposition’s chances against Recep Tayyip Erdogan”says Christophe Gascard, special envoy to Türkiye.

“The vote promises to be tight”

“It’s the first time in years that Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s power seems so contested, and the opposition so close to winning. So the stakes are high. It’s a double ballot which is above all akin to a referendum on the presidency of Erdogan, in power for more than 20 years, with a united opposition facing him for the first time”continues the journalist. “Purchasing power and inflation are at the heart of this campaign, and what could tip the scales is above all the vote of the Kurds, or 20% of the population, who find themselves in the position of king and who should lean towards the opposition candidate, Kemal Kiliçdaroglu. (…) The vote promises to be tight”specifies Christophe Gascard.