Polls shut in Turkey as voters select between Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu in presidential runoff

ANKARA, Turkey — Polls closed in Turkey in a runoff presidential race that may resolve whether or not the nation’s longtime chief stretches his more and more authoritarian rule into a 3rd decade, or is unseated by a challenger who has promised to revive a extra democratic society.

Turkey doesn’t have exit polls, however preliminary outcomes are anticipated inside hours.

The remaining resolution might have implications far past Ankara. Turkey stands on the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and it performs a key position in NATO.

Erdogan’s authorities vetoed Sweden’s bid to hitch NATO and bought Russian missile-defense programs, which prompted the United States to oust Turkey from a U.S.-led fighter-jet undertaking. But it additionally helped dealer a vital deal that allowed Ukrainian grain shipments and averted a world meals disaster.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been at Turkey’s helm for 20 years, was favored to win a brand new five-year time period within the second-round runoff, after coming simply wanting outright victory within the first spherical on May 14.

The divisive populist completed 4 proportion factors forward of Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the candidate of a six-party alliance and chief of Turkey’s center-left principal opposition celebration. Erdogan’s efficiency got here regardless of crippling inflation and the results of a devastating earthquake three months in the past. It was the primary time he didn’t win an election the place he ran as a candidate.

PHOTOS: Voters in Turkey return to polls to resolve on opposing presidential visions

The two candidates provided sharply completely different visions of the nation’s future, and its latest previous.

“This election took place under very difficult circumstances, there was all sorts of slander and defamation,” the 74-year-old Kilicdaroglu (pronounced KEH-lich-DAHR-OH-loo) instructed reporters after casting his poll. “But I trust in the common sense of the people. Democracy will come, freedom will come, people will be able to wander the streets and freely criticize politicians.”

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote at a college in Istanbul, Erdogan famous that it’s the primary presidential runoff election in Turkey’s historical past. He additionally praised excessive voter turnout within the first spherical and mentioned he anticipated participation to be excessive once more on Sunday. He voted similtaneously Kilicdaroglu, as native tv confirmed the rivals casting ballots on break up screens.

“I pray to God, that it (the election) will be beneficial for our country and nation,” he mentioned.

Critics blame Erdogan’s unconventional financial insurance policies for skyrocketing inflation that has fueled a cost-of-living disaster. Many additionally faulted his authorities for a gradual response to the earthquake that killed greater than 50,000 folks in Turkey.

In the primarily Kurdish-populated province of Diyarbakir – considered one of 11 areas that was hit by the Feb. 6 earthquake – 60-year-old retiree Mustafa Yesil mentioned he voted for “change.”

“I’m not happy at all with the way this country is going. Let me be clear, if this current administration continues, I don’t see good things for the future,” he mentioned. “I see that it will end badly – this administration has to change.”

Mehmet Yurttas, an Erdogan supporter, disagreed.

“I believe that our homeland is at the peak, in a very good condition,” the 57-year-old store proprietor mentioned. “Our country’s trajectory is very good and it will continue being good.”

Erdogan has retained the backing of conservative voters who stay dedicated to him for lifting Islam’s profile within the Turkey, which was based on secular rules, and for elevating the nation’s affect in world politics.

If he wins, Erdogan, 69, might stay in energy till 2028. A religious Muslim, he heads the conservative and non secular Justice and Development Party, or AKP. Erdogan remodeled the presidency from a largely ceremonial position to a strong workplace via a narrowly gained 2017 referendum that scrapped Turkey’s parliamentary system of governance. He was the primary immediately elected president in 2014, and gained the 2018 election that ushered within the government presidency.

The first half of Erdogan’s tenure included reforms that allowed the nation to start talks to hitch the European Union, and financial progress that lifted many out of poverty. But he later moved to suppress freedoms and the media and concentrated extra energy in his personal arms, particularly after a failed coup try that Turkey says was orchestrated by the U.S.-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen. The cleric denies involvement.

Erdogan’s rival is a soft-mannered former civil servant who has led the pro-secular Republican People’s Party, or CHP, since 2010. Kilicdaroglu campaigned on guarantees to reverse Erdogan’s democratic backsliding, to revive the financial system by reverting to extra standard insurance policies, and to enhance ties with the West.

In a frantic effort to succeed in out to nationalist voters within the runoff, Kilicdaroglu vowed to ship again refugees and dominated out peace negotiations with Kurdish militants if he’s elected.

A defeat for Kilicdaroglu would add to an extended listing of electoral losses to Erdogan, and put strain on him to step down as celebration chairman.

Erdogan’s AKP celebration and its allies retained a majority of seats in parliament following a legislative election that was additionally held on May 14.

Erdogan’s celebration dominated within the earthquake-hit area, profitable 10 out of 11 provinces in an space that has historically supported the president. Erdogan got here in forward within the first spherical presidential race in eight of these provinces.

Sunday additionally marks the tenth anniversary of the beginning of mass anti-government protests that broke out over plans to uproot bushes in Istanbul’s Gezi Park, and have become probably the most critical challenges to Erdogan’s authorities.

Erdogan’s response to the protests, by which eight folks have been convicted for alleged involvement, was a harbinger of a crackdown on civil society and freedom of expression.

Following the May 14 vote, worldwide observers pointed to the criminalization of dissemination of false data and on-line censorship as proof that Erdogan had an “unjustified advantage.” They additionally mentioned that robust turnout confirmed the resilience of Turkish democracy.

Erdogan and pro-government media portrayed Kilicdaroglu, who acquired the backing of the nation’s pro-Kurdish celebration, as colluding with “terrorists” and of supporting what they described as “deviant” LGBTQ rights.

Kilicdaroglu “receives his orders from Qandil,” Erdogan repeatedly mentioned at latest marketing campaign rallies, a reference to the mountains in Iraq the place the management of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, relies.