Annisa Essack | kzn@radioislam.org.za
24 May 2023 | 15:30 CAT
2 min read

Photo Credit: Politics Today

Dr Muhammet Kocak, a foreign policy analyst based in Ankara, spoke to Radio Islam International on the Turkish Election Run-Off due on Sunday, 28 May 2023.

Turkish citizens living abroad have begun voting in the second round of the country’s presidential election, unprecedented after neither President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan nor Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu could poll more than 50% in the first-round last week. It is still anyone’s game in round two.

Sinan Ogun, known as the kingmaker, after winning over 5% of the vote, has thrown his weight behind Erdoğan, saying he chose him as he had the parliamentary majority. Kocak agreed, saying that Erdoğan is a nationalist with a campaign based on Turkish security, domestic policy and nationalism, whilst his opposition was focused on the economy and support of the Kurdish Party.

Kocak says he was surprised to see Ogun support Erdoğan and even asked his supporters to decide whom they preferred.

Regarding horse trading, Kocak says there was none, and he didn’t expect any such thing as Erdoğan to request or appease anyone.

Kocak predicts that Erdoğan can win the run-off as he holds the advantage.

Speaking about the campaigning presently, he says it has cooled down and focusing more on post-election as Erdoğan is more confident of a win and will work on organising his Parliament. Kılıçdaroğlu is more focused on preserving his seat in the opposition party.

According to Kocak, Western media are not based on the facts on the ground, as the ballot box revealed that the majority still support Erdoğan. Even though the economy and lira have taken a knock, Erdoğan has kept his promise.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Sulaimaan Ravat here