Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, 69, will enter the nation’s presidential and parliamentary elections uncertain of the outcome. He will face his strongest opponent since assuming office 21 years ago.
In preparation for this political make-or-break showdown, Erdogan will be at the famous Hagia Sophia mosque located in Istanbul to lead prayers before heading into the final hours, heralding the fiercest election he has faced in his long years of political leadership since displacing Adullah Gül to become the prime minister.
The 2023 Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections have enthroned a new wave of secular thinking, coming in a concerted push and led by a retired civil servant Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. He has in his ranks a valuable coalition made up of six political parties.
In the past, attempts at mustering a united front against Erdogan at the polls were met with Erdogan’s political pragmatism, ensuring that opposition groups remained splinter groups rather than anti-ruling government forces.
However, Turkey’s economic woes have dented Erdogan’s governance credentials, leading to angst in the country and polarization within his ranks. His strict crackdown on civilians, civil organizations and free speech has further weakened his grip on his party.
Erdogan’s economic failures, which gave rise to inflation, formed part of Kılıçdaroğlu campaign messages. One of them read, “The real agenda of the citizens is this. They know that when I come into power, democracy will come, money will flow, investments will flow, the currency will appreciate, and prosperity will come.”
Interestingly, the reality of a new government -accentuated by a near impossible coalition of six parties including the pro-Kurdish party- seems to be gaining momentum despite Erdogan’s popularity.
Though polls show Erdogan’s secular rivals leading by a few votes, the power of incumbency and widespread goodwill in his traditional strongholds largely remain strong.
His opposition in the election, Kılıçdaroğlu has continued to speak to his supporters, promising them democracy.
“Are you ready to bring democracy to this country? To bring peace to this country? I promise, I am ready too,” he was quoted to have said in Ankara.
In the same vein, Erdogan has assured the people of his pro-democracy stance, especially as it regards doubts over his readiness to relinquish power if he loses at the polls.
While speaking on a local television Erdogan said, “We came to power in Turkey by democratic means, with the approval of our people. If our people were to change their mind, we would do what democracy requires.”
Turkey will hold presidential and legislative elections on Sunday, May 14.
