Recep Tayyip Erdogan was deprived of the plebiscite he dreamed of, but he got better: a credible election from which he undoubtedly emerged. The Turkish president, whom the polls placed 5 points behind the candidate of the united opposition, Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, finally leads him by the same amount. With 49.5% of the vote, he came close to victory in the first round and enters the second, scheduled for May 28, from a position of strength. The democratic opposition cannot count on the 5% of the far-right candidate who came third, Sinan Ogan, who wants to monetize them against the abandonment of the Kurds and the expulsion of Syrian refugees. It would therefore take a dramatic turn of events to prevent the neosultan from entering a third decade at the helm of the country.
Participation seals a regular victory
Philippe Gélie
Erdogan is accused of undermining the fundamentals of secular democracy in Turkey, subjecting institutions to his will, pushing religion into the public space and nurturing a powerful network of patronage across society, social and social services.
This article is for subscribers only. You still have 56% to discover.
Want to read more?
Unblock all items immediately.
TEST FOR 0,99€
Already a subscriber? Log
