Turkish election rivals make final push for votes before run-off

Turkey’s presidential election rivals have made a final push for votes on the last day of campaigning before a pivotal run-off election on Sunday to choose the country’s president.

Long-time leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the mausoleum of Adnan Menderes, the former Turkish leader who was executed a year after the military staged a coup in 1960.

“The era of coups and juntas is over,” Mr Erdogan said.

“I once again call on you to go to the ballot boxes. Tomorrow is a special day for us all.”

Mr Erdogan made references to the majority of ballots his party and its allies obtained in parliamentary elections on May 14. He urged voters to ensure that support was shown “much more strongly” in the run-off.

In the first round of voting two weeks ago, Mr Erdogan, leader of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), fell short of the 50 per cent threshold needed to secure the presidency.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has put on the most successful opposition campaign during Mr Erdogan’s 20 years in charge.

But in the first round he was still about five percentage points behind the president.

“If you really want it, we’ll all get out of this dark pit together,” he said on social media on Saturday. “I am calling to all our people regardless of their view or lifestyle. This is the last exit. Everyone who loves their country should go to the ballot box!”

Mr Kilicdaroglu has promised to improve equality in Turkey, accusing Mr Erdogan and the AKP of engaging in autocratic practices. But in a bid to make up the gap and attract new supporters, the CHP leader has also criticised the country’s hosting of Syrian refugees.

On the eastern side of the Bosphorus Strait, which separates the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, the CHP staged a rally with the city’s Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, who is seen as the deputy to Mr Kilicdaroglu in the six-party coalition backing his candidacy.

“I am voting for Kilicdaroglu – and I also love Imamoglu – because during the 20-year period of AKP rule, they destroyed the economy and inflation is too high. People can’t by bread for their children,” said Aytan Aydemir, 58.

The Turkish economy is under pressure, with inflation soaring and the value of the lira continuing to plummet. That in part has been blamed on economic policies imposed by Mr Erdogan and described by some as unorthodox.

People walk under posters showing Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara. The country is holding its first presidential run-off election after neither candidate earned more than 50 per cent of the vote in the May 14 election. Getty

A couple walk under a poster of Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People’s Party, the day after the general election, in Ankara. EPA

People sit on a bench by posters showing Mr Kilicdaroglu in Ankara. Getty

The bustling Taksim area of Istanbul. Turkey will hold its first presidential run-off election after neither candidate earned more than 50 per cent of the vote this week. Getty

People eat ice cream in Istanbul as the country prepares for an election run-off later this month. Getty

People stand in front of the Guven Monument in Ankara. Getty

The second round of voting will be held on May 28. Getty

A passenger reads a newspaper on a ferry across the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Bloomberg

Politics dominates the headlines in Istanbul on the day after the presidential elections. AP

A billboard featuring presidential candidate Mr Kilicdaroglu in Istanbul. AP

A run-off for the presidency was expected to lead to volatility for the Turkish lira. AP

Supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gather at the AK Party’s headquarters in Istanbul on election night. Getty

Mr Erdogan, accompanied by his wife Emine, addresses supporters in Ankara. Photo: Turkish Presidential Press Office

Election officials count ballots in Diyarbakir after polls closed in Turkey’s presidential and parliamentary elections. AFP

Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People’s Party, speaks to the media in Ankara. EPA

Mr Erdogan’s supporters wave flags outside the AK Party’s headquarters in Ankara. Reuters

Mr Erdogan casts his vote in Istanbul on Sunday. Getty

Mr Kilicdaroglu votes in Ankara. Getty

People wait for Mr Erdogan outside a polling station in Istanbul. Reuters

A man holds a ballot at a polling station in Hatay. Reuters

A ballot paper featuring candidates for Turkey’s presidential and parliamentary elections. Reuters

Voting began in Turkey’s presidential election on Sunday morning. Reuters

A voter casts a ballot at a polling station in Hatay. Reuters

Hatay is one of the Turkish regions that were worst-affected by February’s earthquake. Reuters

Voters take a closer look at the candidates on the ballot, in Ankara. Getty

A ballot paper with Mr Erdogan, Muharrem Ince, Mr Kilicdaroglu and Sinan Ogan. Getty

Voters queue outside a polling station in Istanbul. Reuters

Bags containing blank ballots are stored at a temporary polling station in the courtyard of a quake-damaged school in Hatay. Reuters

An election worker prepares a temporary polling station in Hatay. Reuters

Inflation surged to 85 per cent last year, with Mr Erdogan forcing the central bank to follow through on his interest rate policies.

“In the economy there is high inflation, but I am sure [Mr Erdogan] will make it recover and be strong again,” Berkey Seker said at a pro-Erdogan rally in the Istanbul district of Haskoy on Saturday.

“If the people don’t appreciate him, it’s not the fault of Erdogan, it’s their problem.”

The candidates and their supporters have sought to secure the votes of young people in Turkey.

“He did a lot good things for our country. He strengthened our infrastructure, like tunnels, motorways, drones and ships,” Mr Seker, 24, said of Mr Erdogan.

“I don’t want him to be replaced by Kilicdaroglu, because Erdogan is doing the best for our country. I want to continue with him.”

Talha Coktu, 18, also announced his support for the President at the rally.

“I am supporting Erdogan. I was born with Erdogan, and I want to continue with Erdogan,” he said.

“In my opinion Erdogan is a leader and he can manage the country. The country needs a powerful leader.

“I am voting for Erdogan because of the future of my country, because he can bring wealth to the country.

“The priorities for a country, first is law, second is economy, and third is justice. Erdogan is doing this well. I think he will do good things to the economy.”

At the pro-CHP rally, Arzu Cevik, 50, emphasised why Mr Kilicdaroglu was able to build support.

“My hope is that tomorrow he will win because Turkey can shift from the authority of one man, to plural rule,” Ms Cevik said.

“There are six parties from six ideologies who can come together to manage the country democratically. It will help develop women’s rights.

“On the other side, in Erdogan’s coalition, they want to destroy women’s rights.”

Her daughter, Lilay Cevik, said: “There is no worse a situation that we are in now. If Kilicdaroglu wins, there is no way the situation can be worse than now.”