ANKARA: Turkey’s High Election Board (YSK) has announced that the presidential election will proceed to a runoff between incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu on May 28. With neither candidate able to secure the necessary 50 percent threshold for an outright victory, the runoff is set to determine Turkey’s next president.
Following the counting of approximately 35,000 remaining votes, YSK Chairman Ahmet Yener revealed that Erdogan had obtained 49.51 percent support, while Kilicdaroglu received 44.88 percent. The results indicate a tightly contested race that will now enter a decisive second round.
The announcement on Monday concluded a night of intense competition between Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu, with both campaigns claiming the lead at various points during the high-stakes presidential elections held on Sunday. However, Erdogan maintained his early advantage throughout the vote count, securing a nearly 5 percentage point lead over Kilicdaroglu.
Addressing his supporters at his party’s headquarters in Ankara early Monday, Erdogan declared victory for his ruling party-led Nation’s Alliance in the parliamentary elections. He expressed confidence about the upcoming runoff, while Kilicdaroglu expressed hope of winning and emphasized the pursuit of justice in Turkey.
Tightly contested Turkey elections
Unofficial results released by the YSK showed Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party-led Nation’s Alliance winning control of the parliament with 321 out of 600 seats. The People’s Alliance, led by Kilicdaroglu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP), secured 213 seats, while the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party-led leftist alliance obtained 66 seats.
The runoff presents the opposition with its best opportunity to unseat Erdogan, who holds the title of Turkey’s longest-serving president in modern history. Voters were primarily concerned about issues such as inflation, the economy, and the handling of refugees, particularly following the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey in February.
The 2023 elections are considered pivotal for Turkey domestically and internationally. Erdogan, often seen as an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has pursued a foreign policy trajectory that diverges from Turkey’s NATO allies, including the United States.
In light of the elections, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the world’s largest security organization, expressed its findings after monitoring the Turkish electoral process. While acknowledging the democratic spirit of the Turkish people, the OSCE noted an unfair advantage for Erdogan’s ruling AK Party. The organization highlighted limitations faced by Turkish media organizations and their biased stance towards Erdogan’s People’s Alliance.
Sinan Ogan, who finished third in the presidential election, expressed his willingness to play a kingmaker role in the upcoming runoff. Ogan emphasized the importance of receiving firm assurances on various issues, including counterterrorism efforts, the return of Syrian refugees, and the protection of Turkey’s secular principles.
Ankara’s voting results revealed a victory for Kilicdaroglu, who secured 47 percent of the vote compared to Erdogan’s 46 percent. The Turkish opposition celebrated their success in the capital city. However, Erdogan’s National Alliance maintained strong support in the southern provinces, which have traditionally been their strongholds, despite recent challenges posed by the earthquakes.
Political analyst Ali Carkoglu highlighted Erdogan’s momentum following the polls, noting his ability to maintain support in the heartland of Anatolia and central Anatolian provinces, as well as achieve a credible level of support in major cities. Carkoglu also attributed the opposition’s struggle to gain support in the heartland of Turkey as a key factor in their electoral challenges.
