Polling stations began to open on Sunday May 14 in Turkey for the election of the thirteenth President of the Republic and to renew its parliament. Long queues had already formed before the doors opened at 8 a.m. (7 a.m. Paris time) in Istanbul and Ankara. Closing of the offices is scheduled for 5 p.m. (local time). Follow our live.
Erdogan in an unfavorable position. Islamo-conservative President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, 69, in power for twenty years, hopes to come out on top in the presidential election. But his role in the collapse of the Turkish economy and his responsibility after the deadly earthquake could cost him his place.
Coalition d’oppositions. Erdogan’s main opponent, Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, 74, at the head of a social democratic and secular CHP party, leads a coalition of six parties sweeping wide, from the nationalist right to the liberal center-left. He also received the support of the pro-Kurdish HDP party, the third political force in the country.
Result uncertain. No less than 64 million voters, who will also elect their Parliament, are registered across this country of 85 million inhabitants, traditionally assiduous at the polls with participation rates above 80%. The latest polls suggest a very tight race between these two contenders, with a slight advantage for the leader of the opposition.
