In a closely watched runoff election in Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is currently leading and expected to extend his 20-year rule, according to early results. The election, viewed as historic, could see Erdogan's dominant but divisive Islamic style of governance continue until 2028.
Despite facing a severe cost-of-living crisis and predictions of defeat in opinion polls, Erdogan secured a comfortable lead in the first round against his secular challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Kilicdaroglu formed a powerful coalition of Erdogan's former allies, secular nationalists, and religious conservatives, with the aim of halting what they perceive as a march toward autocracy.
Kilicdaroglu urged citizens to cast their ballots to bring "true freedom and democracy" to the country, while Erdogan called for high voter turnout and warned against complacency. The outcome of this election is seen as critical in determining the future direction of Turkey, as Erdogan's consolidation of power has drawn comparisons to that of Ottoman sultans.
Kilicdaroglu adopted a right-wing stance in the runoff, appealing to nationalist sentiments in an effort to attract the support of those who favor a strong stance against terrorism and immediate expulsion of migrants. However, his alliance with a pro-Kurdish party and his courtship of the hard right were met with challenges and accusations of working with "terrorists."
Erdogan's popularity lies in his promotion of religious freedoms and the modernization of rural areas. He is supported by poorer and more rural segments of society who credit him with transforming once-neglected cities in the Anatolian heartland. However, his crackdowns on dissent and assertive foreign policy have raised concerns among Western countries.
The state of Turkey's economy poses a significant challenge for the next leader. Erdogan's unorthodox economic policies, including the slashing of interest rates to combat high inflation, have resulted in a currency crisis and skyrocketing inflation rates. The country has spent billions of dollars to support the lira ahead of the election, but economists warn that tough decisions, such as raising interest rates, may be necessary to stabilize the economy.
The outcome of the Turkish election will have significant implications for the country's future trajectory and its relations with the international community. As the results continue to unfold, all eyes are on Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu as they await the final outcome of this historic vote.
