On May 28, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu will go to the runoff election for the presidency of Turkey. The international press reviews.
For the first time in Turkey’s history, a presidential election is entering the second round. In less than two weeks, on May 28, the Islamic conservative incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu will face off. Because none of the candidates was able to achieve more than 50 percent in the election and thus an absolute majority, the Turkish electoral authority announced on Monday. Voter turnout was extremely high at just under 89 percent.
After almost all the votes were counted, Erdogan was ahead with 49.50 percent, followed by Kilicdaroglu with 44.90 percent. In the case of the trick, it will depend above all on who the previous voters of the third candidate will give their votes for: the nationalist Sinan Ogan. He got around five percent in the first election – enough votes to secure both Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu the election (read more about Ogan ).
Most commentators consider Erdogan to be the favourite, but there are also dissenting voices.
Press comments on the election in Turkey
“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”: “After twenty years in power, he will find it humiliating that Erdogan has to go to the run-off election. Nevertheless, the prospects of a change of government in Ankara have not increased with Sunday’s election. (…) Erdogan has recently caused some damage to the country (…) But apparently that’s not enough to make many voters forget what Erdogan also stands for: for Turkey’s economic modernization and a greater (public) role for Islam.”
“Badish newspaper”: “The much-cited turning point in Turkey is coming, but probably quite differently than the opposition had hoped. If President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins the run-off election in two weeks, which is now a lot of indications, he will further cement his power. Will there still be free elections at all after that? in Turkey is uncertain. (…) The fact that he is imprisoning tens of thousands of his political opponents could be taken as a sign of weakness. But his supporters, who believe in authority, see it as a sign of strength.”
“Leipziger Volkszeitung”: “In the past few days, Erdogan has repeatedly been compared to Donald Trump. The two men are similar in their inflammatory populist methods. The difference: Erdogan has ruled Turkey for 20 years and has changed the system through constitutional amendments and the actions of his security apparatus long since turned into a presidential-autocratic one. Unlike in the USA, the rule of law does not work in Turkey.”
“OM Media”: “The real winner of this election is the nationalist Sinan Ogan, who ran for office alongside Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu. With his surprising 5.2 percent of the vote, he will tip the scales. Ogan demands concessions for an election recommendation. Among other things he wants an assurance that refugees will be taken out of the country. But he also wants to fight terrorism with all his might. This means above all the PKK. Here the intersection with Erdogan is greater than with Kilicdaroglu. Ogan is still keeping a low profile. Also his electorate is said to be fragmented, so we can look forward to the offers.”
“General newspaper”: “The elections in Turkey are not just a personal triumph for Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They are a victory for autocracy against the separation of powers and the rule of law, they are a victory for religion and Turkish nationalism against diversity and tolerance, they are a victory for the sultan against women’s rights , minorities and more regional democracy in the multi-ethnic mosaic of Turkey. It is a black day for modern Turkey, which with this election is moving closer to Iran and further away from Europe.”
“Southwest Press”: “The fact that Turkey is a NATO member has always been part of Ankara’s potential for blackmail. It is too important geographically and militarily to risk a complete rift in Brussels and Washington. The Syrian refugees are another reason why Erdogan does not have to fear being put in a row with Putin, no matter how aggressively he sends troops to neighboring countries to wage war against the Kurds, to put it bluntly: that Erdogan has been able to stay in power for so long the EU and NATO states to share responsibility.”
“Nuremberg News”: “A largely united opposition failed to overthrow the president. This opportunity will not come again any time soon. Erdogan has an advantage in the runoff election in two weeks and will be able to rule for at least five more years if he wins. He may now be president lifetime.”
“Le Figaro”, France: “The outgoing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was denied the desired election result, but he got something better: A credible election from which he emerged as the undisputed winner. (…) The elections also show the weakness of the strong man in Turkey : When he is afraid of his people and tries to silence them. Would a third term in office for Recep Tayyip Erdogan mean a flight to autocracy? The Europeans and the NATO allies have to adjust to that.”
“Pravo”, Czech Republic: “Even if the opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu were to win, it is not to be expected that Turkey’s foreign policy will be brought into line with the demands of the West. The policy of ‘Turkey First’ would not change all that much.”
“El País”, Spain: “Turkish society is facing a historic opportunity to abandon its current illiberal course. The opposition has rallied around Kilicdaroglu, who has a real chance of victory and is capable of ending Erdogan’s national populism.”
“NZZ”, Switzerland: “Nearly all major media outlets are now close to the AKP. While Erdogan’s appearances were broadcast on all channels, the opposition received hardly any screen time. Kilicdaroglu tried to make up for this by cleverly using social networks. In rural areas in particular, it’s not Twitter, it’s that Television remains the most important information channel.”
“Nepszava”, Hungary: “Erdogan’s catastrophic economic delusions have taken Turkey into a deep trough, yet millions of Turkish Muslims voted for the president because they see him as the chief mufti. (Opposition leader Kemal) Kilicdaroglu came up with a more predictable and calmer future, but the majority gave in he simply didn’t believe his offer.(…) The decisive factor, however, may have been that the propaganda that drowned out everything defamed him as a candidate for pedophiles and terrorists.With such a headwind, success would not only require quick wit and perseverance (…). been, but also a particularly favorable position of the stars.”
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
