In this centenary year of the Turkish republic, the country is being intently watched by world. To see if a unified opposition can depose a more authoritarian leader in the NATO-member Turkey in coming elections.
Presidential and parliamentary elections of Turkey, which take place on Sunday. Which have the potential to extend President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s authority into a third decade — or to set the country on a new path.
The major challenger to Erdogan’s 20-year reign is Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The leader of the secular, center-left Republican People’s Party, or CHP. The 74-year-old is the joint candidate of a six-party coalition vowing to demolish Erdogan’s executive presidential system. And return the country to a parliamentary democracy with checks and balances.
In addition to the opposition alliance, Kilicdaroglu has secured the support of the country’s pro-Kurdish party. However, which receives approximately 10% of the vote. And surveys show him with a tiny advantage. The contest, however, is so tight that it will almost certainly be determined in a runoff between the two frontrunners on May 28.
Turkey’s economy plays major role
Erdogan has lost some ground as the economy has faltered and the cost of living has risen. Meanwhile his government has also been chastised for its slow response to the deadly earthquake. That rocked southern Turkey earlier this year, killing tens of thousands.
“For the first time in the 20 years since Erdogan came to power. He’s facing a real electoral challenge. Which he may actually lose,” said Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, director of the German Marshall Fund’s Ankara office. Adding that the contest was about two conflicting ideas.
“On the one hand, there is President Erdogan’s vision of a security state. A monist society, with power consolidated in the hands of the executive,” he explained. “On the other hand, there is Kilicdaroglu’s vision of a more pluralist Turkey in which no community is othered. One that is becoming more democratised . Moreover, there is a clear division of powers between the executive, legislative, and judiciary.”