TURKEY ELECTION HEADS TO RUNOFF AS ERDOĞAN LEADS FIRST ROUND

Continued from ➠ back page the incumbent president and the ruling parties, including biased media coverage They also mentioned instances of administrative resource misuse, pressure, and intimidation faced by the opposition

Although Erdoğan's unorthodox economic policies and a slow government response to recent earthquakes were expected to sway voters, he successfully rallied conservative support His strong approval rating, surprise win in parliament, and incumbency advantages

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Reelection In The Second Round

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), despite falling behind in both parliamentary and presidential votes, expressed determination to fight for rights, law, and justice in the country The CHP expects to win in the second round and emphasizes the importance of democracy and the nation's will

As the opposition reflects on their defeat, observers highlight a rightward shift in Turkish politics, with nationalist sentiments playing a significant role The unexpected undercurrent of conservative and nationalist support, which few opinion polls captured, influenced the election outcome

Ultranationalist candidate Sinan Oğan, who ran to promote fiercely antirefugee policies, expressed satisfaction with the election results Oğan's voters now face a choice in the runoff, with their support potentially crucial for either Erdoğan or Kılıçdaroğlu

Moving forward, Kılıçdaroğlu faces the challenge of appealing to ultranationalist voters while maintaining support among Kurdish voters Critics have called for his resignation as leader of the CHP, suggesting that the defeat requires a change in leadership

With a sense of defeat prevailing among opposition voters, mobilizing them for the second round will be a significant challenge

Erdoğan currently holds the momentum in his favor, but the runoff will be a crucial moment that could shape Turkey's political landscape