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For two decades, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has loomed large over Turkish politics. But skyrocketing inflation and a devastating earthquake have eroded his power and, in a presidential election over the weekend, he was forced into a runoff. Ben Hubbard, The Times’s Istanbul bureau chief, discusses how Turkey’s troubles have made Mr. Erdogan politically vulnerable.

☆ Turkey Faces Financial Reckoning After Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Chelsey Dulaney | Jared Malsin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan will face opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu in the second round of the presidential election on May 28 after neither won Sunday’s first round. WSJ’s Jared Malsin explains what’s at stake. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesThe winner of this month’s Turkish presidential election will have to reckon with a dangerously lopsided economy that investors and economists say has veered close to the edge of financial stability. Turkey will hold a runoff election on May 28 after neither President Recep Tayyip Erdogan nor opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu secured the 50% of the vote required to clench the presidency. Mr. Erdogan emerged with a convincing lead in the first round, a surprise after he trailed in polls in the days before Sunday’s vote.

☆ Turkey’s Opposition Struggles to Make Up Ground as Runoff Nears
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Ben Hubbard | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

After heading into elections with high hopes, Turkey’s political opposition is struggling to fight off despair and plot a course to give their candidate a fighting chance against the incumbent, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a runoff later this month. While Mr. Erdogan, bidding for a third five-year presidential term, failed to win a simple majority in Sunday’s election, he still led the opposition by a margin of about five percentage points. That, and a number of other indications, point to a win for the president in the second round on May 28. For one, Mr. Erdogan looks likely to be the primary beneficiary of votes from supporters of an ultranationalist third candidate, Sinan Ogan, who has been eliminated despite a surprisingly strong showing over the weekend. The first-round results, over all, pointed to growing nationalist sentiment across the electorate that will probably boost the president.

☆ Turkey's opposition is unlikely to gain ground on May 28, economist says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailTurkey's opposition is unlikely to gain ground on May 28, economist saysArda Tunca, economist and columnist at Turkish news site PolitikYol, discusses Turkey's runoff election on May 28 and says it's "obvious" that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be the winner.

☆ Ex-NBA player raised in Turkey slams Twitter censorship: 'I don't want to hear about Elon Musk talking about free speech ever again. He's literally bowing down to a dictatorship'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Britney Nguyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom doesn't want to hear Elon Musk talk about free speech. The Turkish-American said Musk is "bowing down to a dictatorship" by blocking tweets in Turkey. "I don't want to hear about Elon Musk talking about free speech ever again," Freedom said on CNN This Morning. "Turkish government called Elon to pretty much tell him, 'If you don't ban a couple accounts, then we are going to shut down the whole app in Turkey,'" Freedom added. "The whole country is saying enough is enough because we want to go back to democracy and freedom again," Freedom said on CNN.

☆ Turkish Election Goes to Runoff After Erdogan Takes Lead in First Round
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Jared Malsin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan will face opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu in the second round of the presidential election on May 28. WSJ’s Jared Malsin explains what’s at stake. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesISTANBUL—Turkey will hold a runoff presidential election later this month, officials said Monday, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emerging from this weekend’s polls with a surprise advantage over his main challenger in a vote with far-ranging domestic and geopolitical implications. Mr. Erdogan won 49.51% and his opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu had 44.88% in the first round of the election on Sunday, with all of the votes counted, according to the head of the Turkish Supreme Election Council.

☆ Erdogan Ahead of Challenger as Turkey Appears Headed for Runoff Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Jared Malsin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags and banners in Ankara. Photo: necati savas/ShutterstockISTANBUL—Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emerged with a surprise advantage in a fight for his political survival, pulling ahead of his main challenger in Sunday’s election ahead of a likely runoff ballot that could have far-ranging domestic and geopolitical implications. As of Monday morning, Mr. Erdogan had won 49.40% of the votes counted so far and his opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu had 44.96%, according to the head of the Turkish Supreme Election Council. The head of the election board said 99% of the ballot boxes had been entered into the agency’s central system.

It would be a striking show of leniency by a notoriously tough regulator. has been among the most aggressive in policing Big Tech, having fined companies like Google billions and forced changes in their business practices. And given the size and importance of the British, European and U.S. markets, simply ignoring any one of them is impossible. ; overturning the British regulator’s decision is expected to be especially tough. appeal could take months, and will review only whether the regulator’s decision followed proper procedures.)

☆ Turkey heads for runoff after tight presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Raphael Sanis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

As neither of the main candidates secured a majority in Turkey's presidential election, a runoff vote will take place on May 28. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is eyeing an extension to his 20-year reign. Opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is standing in his way.

☆ Turkish lira sinks to new record low on possibility of Erdogan re-election
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The Turkish lira slipped 0.5% to trade at 19.70 against the US dollar, a record low. The uncertainty has investors in Turkish government bonds worrying about the country’s ability to pay them back. Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan celebrate at the AK Party headquarters on May 14, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. Annual consumer price inflation surged to 85% in October, before slowing to 44% in April, data from the Turkish Statistical Institute shows. “A victory for President Erdogan, which now looks like the base case scenario… would be negative for Turkey’s macroeconomic stability and financial markets,” Peach added.

[1/5] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greets supporters at the AK Party headquarters in Ankara, Turkey May 15, 2023. His six-party alliance did not attract as many nationalist voters as expected, partly due to support for Kilicdaroglu's candidacy from a large pro-Kurdish party, the officials said. Both Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu are expected to meet Ogan in person in the coming days. Given their conservative views, Erdogan and Ogan are seen as easier allies, even though the president's alliance includes a small Islamist Kurdish party that Ogan also opposes. "His motto will be: if you vote for Kilicdaroglu he will be a lame duck," said another senior opposition official who acknowledged a tough road ahead.

☆ What’s Next for Turkey?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Justin Porter | Jonathan Wolfe | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Although he fell just short of an outright majority, with 49.5 percent of the vote, signs point strongly to yet another Erdogan victory in two weeks. A third candidate, Sinan Ogan, received 5.2 percent, and his right-wing supporters are likely to vote for Erdogan in the runoff, analysts say. Erdogan’s party and its allies also maintained a commanding majority in the parliamentary vote after stepping up nationalist rhetoric. However, my colleague Ben Hubbard reported that Erdogan’s failure to secure an outright majority this weekend indicated that some voters had grown tired of his financial management and drastic consolidation of power. Turkey has been struggling with a sinking currency and painful inflation that exceeded 80 percent last year.

Istanbul, Turkey CNN —Turkey will have a runoff election on May 28 after longtime leader President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was forced into a second round with only a narrow lead over his rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Neither candidate achieved the required 50% to take the presidency outright, but Kilicdaroglu now faces a tough battle to win the second round after Erdogan performed better than some opinion polls had suggested. With the final count, the electorate will turn to a second round of voting that could extend Erdogan’s 20-year grip on power, or set the stage for a change in political direction. “If our nation says second round, we gladly accept it. We will absolutely win this election in the second round.

☆ Turkey Election Maps: Why Erdogan Is Headed For a Runoff
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Lauren Leatherby | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Central Turkey, a stronghold for Mr. Erdogan, voted mostly in the president’s favor. Mr. Erdogan appeared to have the edge as he heads into the runoff on May 28. 2023 Erdogan vote share compared to 2018 Lower Erdogan vote share Higher Erdogan vote share Mersin Diyarbakır Antalya Kayseri Gaziantep Izmir Bursa Samsun Konya Adana Ankara Istanbul In the areas hit hardest by the earthquake in February, most provinces shifted away from Mr. Erdogan. Presidential election results by year Candidates need 50 percent of vote to avoid a runoff election 2014 Recep Tayyip Erdogan Erdogan 51.8% Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu Ihsanoglu 38.4% Selahattin Demirtas Demirtas 9.8% 2018 Recep Tayyip Erdogan Erdogan 52.6% Muharrem Ince Ince 30.6% Selahattin Demirtas Demirtas 8.4% Meral Aksener Aksener 7.3% 2023 Recep Tayyip Erdogan Erdogan 49.5% Kemal Kilicdaroglu Kilicdaroglu 44.9% Sinan Ogan Ogan 5.2% Sources: Supreme Election Council, Anadolu Agency (unofficial election results). The vote was in many ways a referendum on the performance of Mr. Erdogan, Turkey’s dominant politician for 20 years.

☆ Erdogan’s Grip on Power Is Dented but Not Broken, Vote Shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Ben Hubbard | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

His government was accused of botching its response to catastrophic earthquakes that killed more than 50,000 people just three months ago. Despite all of that, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan came out with a lead over his main challenger in Turkish elections, according to official results released on Monday. With nearly all of the ballots counted on Monday, official preliminary results gave Mr. Erdogan 49.5 percent of the vote versus 44.9 percent for his main challenger, opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. A third candidate, Sinan Ogan, received 5.2 percent, and his right-wing supporters are more likely to vote for Mr. Erdogan in the runoff, analysts say. Finally, Mr. Erdogan’s party and its allies maintained a commanding majority in the parliamentary vote, likely further increasing his ability to be re-elected.

☆ Four Takeaways from Turkey’s Nail-Biting Presidential Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Gulsin Harman | Ben Hubbard | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Turkey’s nail-biter election on Sunday made clear that the people’s faith in the country’s electoral system remains strong and that the incumbent, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is still a formidable political force, despite his failure to secure a first-round victory. A runoff is likely to be held on May 28 after preliminary results showed Mr. Erdogan with 49.4 percent of votes and his main challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, with 45 percent, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency. Mr. Erdogan, who has led Turkey for 20 years, appeared to be in a strong position to emerge with another five-year term. Before the vote, most polls suggested a slight lead for Mr. Kilicdaroglu, the joint candidate of a newly formed alliance of six opposition parties. But the preliminary results showed the enduring appeal and influence of Mr. Erdogan.

☆ Wikipedia cofounder slams Elon Musk for caving to Turkey's government and censoring tweets, says Wikipedia fought similar demands and won
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Grace Mayer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Twitter announced it would "restrict access to some content in Turkey" right before the country's presidential election. Wikipedia cofounder Jimmy Wales criticized Twitter CEO Elon Musk's decision to restrict content. Twitter's Global Government Affairs account had tweeted about the changes ahead of Turkey's presidential election held on Sunday. Turkey's highest court determined that blocking the website was unconstitutional, and access to Wikipedia was restored in January 2020, The New York Times reported. Before Musk, Twitter agreed to around 50% of government requests.

☆ Turkey's lira and stock markets slide as President Erdogan gains momentum in tight presidential race
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Turkish lira sank close to another record low with Turkey's presidential election heading for an unprecedented runoff, with one analyst forecasting further weakness for the currency over the short term. "Unfortunately it looks like [what] up to 49% of Turks have voted for is an economic crisis ... The YSK confirmed Monday afternoon that the presidential election would indeed go to a runoff on May 28.. Neither 20-year incumbent Erdogan nor Kilicdaroglu has so far cleared the 50% threshold needed to secure an outright victory. The currency was trading at 19.66 against the greenback as of 1 p.m. London time on Monday.

But for the next two weeks, he may become the most important figure in Turkish politics, potentially deciding President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political fate. Preliminary results from the YSK showed Erdogan as having received 49.51% of the vote, while Kilicdaroglu had 44.88%. Ogan, the third candidate, received 5.17%, enough to swing the runoff vote in favor of either of the candidates. But his political career began with the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), where he spent six years before splitting with it, partly due to its growing closeness with Erdogan’s AK Party, according to Turkish media. Formerly in the opposition, the MHP joined the People Alliance that is led by Erdogan’s AK Party in this election.

☆ President Erdogan is in a 'comfortable position,' Turkiye Raporu says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailPresident Erdogan is in a 'comfortable position,' Turkiye Raporu saysCan Selcuki, director at Turkiye Raporu, discusses Turkey's elections and explains why President Recep Tayyip Erdogan "doesn't need to change any of his rhetoric."

☆ Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Wavers With Debt Ceiling in Focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. stocks were wavering Monday as investors monitored debt-ceiling negotiations, coming off two consecutive losing weeks for the S&P 500. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said over the weekend that negotiations over raising the debt ceiling were making progress and could result in a deal. The major U.S. stock indexes were mixed. Turkey’s benchmark stock index fell after results from its election suggested President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had performed better than expected, but not enough to avoid a runoff vote. Other overseas stock indexes mostly gained.

☆ Turkish lira will likely devalue whether or not Erdogan wins, strategist says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailTurkish lira will likely devalue whether or not Erdogan wins, strategist saysOzan Ozkural of Tanto Capital Partners discusses Turkey's elections and says if President Recep Tayyip Erdogan loses, the country's foreign policy wouldn't change, but its monetary policy "will have to readjust into market norms."

☆ Turkish Stocks, Bonds Slide as Election Appears Headed to Runoff
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Turkish stocks and bond prices fell after an inconclusive presidential election result that sets the stage for a runoff later this month. With more than 91% of votes counted, incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had won 49.49% of votes, while rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu claimed 44.7%, Turkey’s election chief said. Neither candidate reached the 50% threshold required to avoid a runoff, which would take place on May 28.

☆ Turkey’s opposition faces an uphill battle in runoff with Erdogan
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Tamara Qiblawi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Istanbul CNN —A hushed silence fell over the crowd outside the Istanbul headquarters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development (AK) party. Sullen faces turned to the election count on the large screen — Erdogan’s vote had dropped below the 50% threshold needed to clinch the first round of Sunday’s historic election. Erdogan secured a five-point lead over his principal opponent, destining them to a run-off vote. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan meet supporters outside a polling station in Istanbul, Turkey May 14, 2023. Then our President Erdogan saves us.”Ahead of the run-off vote, Erdogan now has two weeks in which to save himself – and all the indications are that he begins, as ever, from a place of strength.

☆ We're 'fully confident' that Erdogan will get people's support, AK Party MP says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe're 'fully confident' that Erdogan will get people's support, AK Party MP saysRavza Kavakci, member of Parliament from Turkey's AK Party — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's party — says "there's no doubt about the fairness of [the] election."

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