Elections in Turkey: With an unprecedented second round, the country has the ‘last chance’ for the return of authoritarianism | the topic

“It is the first time that Turkey faces a presidential run-off, demonstrating the ‘subtle’ strength of Erdogan’s opposition.” This is how the researcher Marina Slysarenko-Pareto, co-author of the book “The Road to Authoritarianism: Strategies for Democratic Erosion”, assesses it.

According to Marina, Erdogan objects to a second phase, despite efforts such as:

civil servants’ salaries increased by 45% five days before the first period;
32 hours of continuity campaign on radio and television, versus 32 minutes for the opponent;
Fake news allegedly funded by Russia.

A montage showing Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kemal Kilicdaroglu during their campaign in Turkey – Photo: Reuters

Kilicdaroglu, Erdogan’s opponent, has a five-party alliance in his favor, in addition to the support of the mayors of Ankara and Istanbul, two of the most important cities in the country.

On the other hand, Erdogan came to power as prime minister and spent 11 years in office before becoming president by direct vote in 2014.

“This is why we are talking about such a crucial election, and many political commentators and academics say it is the last chance for Turkey to reverse the process of turning to authoritarianism,” Marina explains in an interview with Natusa Neri.

Erdogan, Türkiye’s longest-serving leader, was nowhere close to losing office