Shortly before the Turkish elections on 14 May, candidate Muharrem Ince surprisingly withdrew from the race. This is likely to shake up the overall picture enormously.
Frankfurt – Shortly before the 2023 Turkish elections on Sunday (14 May), the leader of the Memleket Party (to German: Fatherland Party), Muharrem Ince, has withdrawn his candidacy. He was seen as an alternative to opposition candidate and CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. In the meantime, a debate is already underway in Turkey as to how this development will influence the election and whether head of state Recep Tayyip Erdogan will benefit from it.
2023 Turkish election: Ince withdraws his candidacy
"I am withdrawing my candidacy," Ince said on Thursday (11 May) outside the headquarters of the Memleket party. Previously, he had to postpone several campaign appearances due to health problems. Criticism of the opposition under Kilicdaroglu could be heard from his statements. According to Ince, he was accused of having been paid by Erdogan. "They said I was doing my job, I was paid by the palace and therefore I couldn't withdraw from the race," the former CHP politician explained.
"Now I would like to turn to those who have expressed this vileness," Ince said, announcing his withdrawal from the race. His next words about the opposition under Kilicdaroglu had it all: "After they lost the election, they will blame us, now we are taking away their pretexts (for defeat, ed.)."
Muharrem Ince withdrew his candidacy shortly before the elections in Turkey. © Can Erok/Imago
Turkey election 2023: Decision already in the first round after Ince's withdrawal?
Now there is speculation about whether voters will turn to Ince Erdogan or Kilicdaroglu. On social media, there is a divided opinion among Memleket followers. At the same time, Ince's withdrawal increases the likelihood that the election will be decided in the first round. If the fourth candidate, Sinan Ogan, were to withdraw, this would be over. "According to my information, Mr. Ogan could also withdraw," said Turkish journalist Ismail Saymaz of the opposition channel Halk TV shortly after Ince's statement. (bb)
