Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the challenger to Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish presidential elections, appealed to young voters today, Tuesday, to support him in the runoff on May 28. This move is part of his effort to prevent the extension of Erdogan's rule in the NATO member state into a third decade. Kilicdaroglu, the candidate from a coalition of six opposition parties, received 45% of the votes in Sunday's ballot, while Erdogan garnered 49.5%, just shy of the majority needed to avoid a runoff. The election is seen as a referendum on Erdogan's governance.
In a series of tweets addressed to "dear youth," Kilicdaroglu stated, "The message for change has emerged from the ballot boxes. Those who want change in this country are now more than those who do not," indicating Erdogan's failure to secure over 50%.
In the parallel parliamentary elections, the People's Alliance, which includes Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party and nationalist and Islamist parties, won up to 322 of the 600 seats in the new parliament. This victory gives the president a majority, allowing him to claim that voting for him will ensure stability.
Kilicdaroglu is trying to appeal to young voters by highlighting the cost of living crisis, which has worsened in Turkey due to Erdogan's insistence on lowering interest rates, leading to a sharp decline in the value of the lira and rising inflation. He addressed them saying, "You do not have enough money for anything. Your joy of life has been taken from you, while young people should be free from worry." He added, "You will not get your youth back. We have 12 days to escape this dark tunnel."
The voting is being closely monitored in Washington, Europe, and throughout the region as Erdogan consolidates his country's power and strengthens relations with Russia, causing tension in Ankara's traditional alliance with the United States.
