Turkey to Hold Pivotal Elections on Sunday
On May 14, Turkey will hold a presidential election that some observers consider to be the most important election of the year. Powerful incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been in power for 20 years, including both as president and prime minister. His challenger is opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who promises a more western-leaning, democratic administration. Turkey is strategically located between Europe and Asia, is a NATO member, and controls the tremendously important straits that give ships access from the Black Sea to other international waterways. The crucial election takes place against a backdrop of an economic crisis, growing irritation with the 3.5 million Syrian refugees who reside in Turkey, continued challenges due to the devastating February earthquake, and the war in Ukraine.
"Turkey Elections: Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu Offer Stark Choices for Presidency" - BBC
"After more than 20 years in power, Recep Tayyip Erdogan promises a strong, multilateral Turkey and the creation of six million jobs, and accuses the West of trying to bring him down. His chief rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, backed by a broad opposition, wants to steer this Nato member state back towards a pro-Western, more democratic stance. The president accuses his opponents of being "pro-LGBT", while his Islamist-rooted party positions itself as on the side of the family."
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65483654
"What You Need to Know Ahead of Turkey's Election" - Foreign Policy
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/05/07/turkey-elections-2023-polls-vote-erdogan-kilicdaroglu/
"The Turkish Elections and the Future of Northwest Syria: Scenarios and Policy Implications" - Middle East Institute
