The second round of elections will be held in Turkey. What are the expectations?

Baku/16.05.23/Turan:  Turkey is set to hold its second round of presidential elections on May 28, according to Ahmet Yener, the Chairman of the Supreme Electoral Council of Turkey. The initial round, which took place on May 14, saw incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the Republican Union garner 49.54% of the votes, while Kemal Kilicdaroglu of the opposition National Union secured 44.85%. Sinan Ohan, the candidate representing the ATA Union, received 5.17% of the votes, and Muharram Inje of the Fatherland party, who withdrew his candidacy prior to the vote, received 0.44%.

Rufat Garagezlu, a sociologist residing in Turkey, shared his insights on the upcoming second round during an interview on the program "Difficult Question." Garagezlu acknowledged that the parliamentary and presidential elections' first round on May 14 was conducted fairly and without significant complaints from opposition parties directed at the Supreme Electoral Council. He expressed confidence that the second round of presidential elections would similarly exemplify the democratic expression of citizens' will and uphold justice.

Regarding expectations for the second round, Garagezlu noted that some supporters of Kemal Kilicdaroglu were disappointed with the first-round results, as they had anticipated a more substantial lead for their candidate. However, he emphasized that there were no violations during the voting process. Garagezlu stated that any disappointment or despondency among the opposition has subsided, and they are determined to redouble their efforts to secure victory in the second round.

Garagezlu highlighted that the second round will involve a competition for voters who initially supported Sinan Ohan of the ATA alliance, who obtained 5.17% of the votes in the first round. Ohan has expressed his readiness to support either Recep Tayyip Erdogan or Kemal Kilicdaroglu in the second round, contingent upon the fulfillment of six conditions. These conditions include upholding constitutional guarantees of secular principles, combating terrorism, and facilitating the repatriation of Syrian and other refugees.

The sociologist also mentioned unconfirmed reports suggesting that approximately 10 million Syrian refugees, many of whom have obtained Turkish citizenship, reside in Turkey. These individuals represent potential supporters for Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Garagezlu anticipates that Erdogan will seek to gain their votes. Consequently, the upcoming second round is expected to be fiercely contested, and it remains uncertain who will emerge victorious, according to Garagezlu's analysis.--0--