Turkish Political Figures Hold Final Rallies Ahead of Elections

Turkish political figures held their final campaign rallies on Saturday ahead of the crucial presidential and parliamentary elections, which could determine the future of the NATO member country, as reported by The Associated Press.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who faces the toughest challenge in his two-decade rule, spoke at rallies in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. His opponent, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu from the center-left Republican People’s Party, the sole candidate of six opposition parties, held his final rally in the capital Ankara on Friday, amidst heavy rain.

On Friday, Erdoğan dismissed suggestions that he would not relinquish power if defeated, calling the idea “very funny.” In interviews with dozens of Turkish broadcasters, Erdoğan stated that he came to power through democracy and would act in accordance with democratic processes. “If our people decide otherwise, we will do exactly what democracy demands, and we will have nothing else to do,” he said.

On Saturday, Erdoğan declared that he views the elections as a “celebration of democracy for the future of our country.” The opposition's campaign continued with Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who held final rallies in the city, urging people to vote in favor of Kılıçdaroğlu.

On Friday, Kılıçdaroğlu asked the tens of thousands gathered to listen to his closing speech to go out and vote on Sunday to “change Turkey's fate.” He claimed he is ready to bring democracy to Turkey, countering Erdoğan's stance, which has suppressed dissent in recent years.

Voter turnout in Turkey is traditionally high, indicating a belief in civic engagement's role in the country, where freedom of speech and assembly is repressed, the media has noted. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the votes, a second round of voting will take place on May 28. Turkey's Supreme Electoral Council announced that it has decided to count votes for candidate Muharrem İnce, who withdrew from the campaign this week, as valid and that his withdrawal will not be viewed until a potential second round of elections.