The Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections will take place on May 14. On Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the pre-election decree at a televised ceremony.
The elections were initially scheduled to take place on June 18. Among other things, the traditional pilgrimage to Mecca and school holidays have been cited as reasons for the early voting.
After the south of Turkey was hit by devastating earthquakes in early February, there was speculation about a possible postponement of the elections. More than 46,000 people have died and four million people have been displaced by the quakes in Turkey.
The elections are one of Erdogan’s biggest challenges since he came to power 20 years ago. They determine how the economy will develop in a period in which inflation is still sky-high.
Elections affect Turkish role in region
The elections also affect Turkey’s role in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Many people already see the result as the most important in the history of the republic.
The six largest opposition parties have united behind a single candidate in hopes of defeating Erdogan and his party. It concerns Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP).
If the elections are won, the opposition promises to reverse many of Erdogan’s decisions in the areas of economics, human rights and foreign affairs.
