Turkey will go to the polls again in a fortnight after neither of the leading candidates managed to secure 50% of the vote in the country’s presidential elections on Sunday.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of the Justice and Development party (AKP) received 49.51% of the vote, the head of the country’s election council said, while his rival Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the Republican People’s party (CHP), gained 44.88%. The third-placed candidate, the ultra-nationalist Sinan Oğan, won 5.17%.
Analysts have said it could be difficult for Kılıçdaroğlu to make up Erdoğan’s five-point lead in the fortnight before the second round.
Many supporters of Kılıçdaroğlu who contacted the Guardian said they backed him in order to force an end to Erdoğan’s rule, while some expressed concern about his anti-Syrian rhetoric. Other readers said they continued to support Erdoğan, seeing him as a powerful leader with authority on the world stage.
‘I want better relations with the west’
It was a hard decision for me but at the end I voted for Kılıçdaroğlu. In the second round both candidates have equal chances, I believe. I want Erdoğan to go. To me he did good so far but it is time to go.
I voted for Erdoğan in 2018 and he did good things for Turkey – he completed many important infrastructure projects. But he is too aggressive on foreign policy. I want better relations with the west. Erdoğan is too nationalistic – he is dreaming of Ottoman times.
But in the parliamentary elections, I will vote for AKP. AKP has liberal policies both in economy and in society. I am also concerned the fight against the Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK) may falter [if] Kılıçdaroğlu wins.”
Şerif, 58, software developer in Ankara
‘The CHP is against Syrians’
I supported Erdoğan. I was born in Syria and have Turkish origin. I have lived here for seven years and have acquired Turkish citizenship a few years ago after going through the legal system. The opposition considers me an enemy. I am a very liberal person who would have considered voting for them if they actually tried to win me over and didn’t show hatred against migrants.
I am very annoyed by the round two vote – I would have preferred a round one victory for either side. The 5% that voted for the third candidate are ultra-nationalists. My main concern is xenophobia and racial discrimination. If [they] are the ones to decide that means the game will be on who gives more to them. I hate to imagine they will get a big say in who the president of Turkey will be.
Doctor in İzmir, 34
‘Erdoğan is a well-known statesman’
I voted for Erdoğan because he brought Turkey together with roads, high-speed trains and technology in 20 years. He challenged the imperialist western countries. He is [one of] the most well-known statesmen in the world. Turkey, for the first time, rebelled against the [west] thanks to Erdoğan and succeeded.
Kılıçdaroğlu cannot stand up against these countries. He will drag the country into chaos. Erdoğan [has] charisma, courage and success. What he has done is the guarantee of what he will do.
Hüseyin, 69, retired teacher in Düzce
‘Freedom has been eroded under the AKP’
I knew it would be a long night then but I was expecting Kılıçdaroğlu to be in the lead. AKP never fights fair but the opposition needed to chip into Erdoğan’s vote. This ultimately united the right wing.
Our democracy, currency, freedoms and justice have eroded after 21 years of AKP rule. The presidential system has crushed our economy further and this has to stop. For the parliamentary vote I [voted] for the Workers’ party of Turkey (TİP) even though I am not a hard-leftist. They have been a voice to many underrepresented people and CHP’s list is replete with former AKP members who are still openly Islamists and I find that nauseating.
I am concerned that AKP and Erdoğan are capable of intimidation. I have witnessed first-hand how far they can go during Gezi protests during which I and my friends were almost crushed to death by the police.
Önder, 35, teacher in Istanbul
‘Erdoğan connects everything to religion’
I support Kılıçdaroğlu and also I want to get rid of Erdoğan. My generation was raised under his [rule]. The economy is very bad. He connects everything to religion. He is against women, he is against [secular] education, he is against alcohol.
I earn a good salary [compared with] the rest of the population but even [then] it’s not enough. I pay half of my salary for apartment rent. Right now going on holiday in Europe is cheaper than in Antalya and Bodrum. And there is an earthquake that we shouldn’t forget – the government [was slow] to send rescue.
I voted for the economy, freedom, LGBT, women’s rights, animal rights, and for our future.
Trade manager in Istanbul, 37
‘CHP is pro-European’
I voted for Kılıçdaroğlu because Erdoğan and his system and party are not doing any good for the country. The CHP is leftist and represents my worldview. They are pro-European and we are hoping them to change the country’s direction to EU again.
After 21 years of ruling the party, Erdoğan has too much power in the country and his last wish is to lose. Therefore, there are concerns about the safety of voting and his acceptance process if he is defeated.
Yusuf, 34, marketing professional in Mersin
‘The second round is merely a formality’
My reaction to the result is that it was incredibly bad. A first-round win would have been a surprise but a result behind Erdoğan, and with a 4% loss, is incredible.
Kılıçdaroğlu may not be inspirational but he is an honest man who has succeeded in bringing a diverse opposition together. Erdoğan controls the media and is against women. [I think] Erdoğan’s economic policies are stupid beyond belief.
Nobody saw this coming from the opposition side. I don’t understand how some in the liberal media and opposition are still saying all isn’t lost. The second round is merely a formality in my opinion.
Eda, 37, works in tourism in Istanbul
