On the eve of the second round of the presidential election in Turkey, outgoing head of state Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems set to win against the opposition candidate. In power since 2003, he can rely on a base of loyal voters and an undeniable popularity despite the wear and tear of power and the very harsh economic crisis affecting the country.
From our special correspondent in Istanbul,
” We love the AKP, and we love Erdogan! First we believe in God, then in his prophet, and finally we believe in Erdogan! Ahmet is a devotee. He has been voting for Recep Tayyip Erdogan for 20 years, he tells us. Under her black veil, Naciye approves: this mother will vote for Erdogan this Sunday because he defends traditional values, but also and above all because, according to her, he is the only Turkish leader to have done so much for Turkey . “ He did everything: roads, bridges, tunnels and hospitals, he gave opportunities to young people, money to those who get married… He did everything we needed. »
In front of the tent erected by AKP activists, everyone admires a brand new electric car. A campaign argument for the ruling party, since it is the first car entirely manufactured by a Turkish manufacturer and therefore a reason for national pride to add to the balance sheet of the outgoing president. “ Look, it’s the Togg! She is magnificent ! It’s way too expensive for me, but that’s okay. The important thing is that it is produced here! It’s our car and I’m proud of it! “, boasts a voter.
National pride is one of the keys to voting for Erdogan, who continues to highlight the prowess – real or imagined – of national industry. Another element of explanation, the social aid paid generously at the approach of the ballot. ” If you go to see social services with your identity card, they will give you everything you need: money, food and that is thanks to Erdogan. The government is there to help us », assures this former house painter.
A guarantee of stability
For him, the galloping inflation will be compensated by the aid paid by the State. Anyway, in his eyes, the Turkish president is not responsible for the crisis in the country. ” The economic crisis is everywhere, not just in Türkiye! And then there was the Covid, there was the earthquake… And yet, people continue to be paid! And Erdogan did not need to go begging from the IMF he says.
Faced with the crisis and the earthquake, Erdogan is perceived by his supporters as a guarantee of stability. A reassuring force and a bulwark against terrorism, embodied in the eyes of this voter by the Kurdish movement of the PKK: “ The opposition wants to form an alliance with the PKK. And I don’t believe Kiliçdaroglu when he says he’s not their friend, he’s a liar! If the opposition were to win, it would be chaos. »
Erdogan or chaos is one of the keys to success for the outgoing president, beaten before the first round, and who approaches the second being almost certain of his victory.