Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu has called on voters abroad to vote for a change of government in Turkey. “You have a responsibility to get the country back on track,” he said in a video message shared on Twitter on Thursday. “Your vote is vital for Turkey’s future.”
In the parliamentary and presidential elections on May 14 in Turkey, a head-to-head race is emerging between incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his strongest challenger, Kilicdaroglu.
Kilicdaroglu listed the – from his point of view – grievances in Turkey, such as economic problems, polarization and injustice. Among other things, he promised to democratize the country and respect human rights under his leadership. “Whether you live in Turkey or not, this is your homeland,” he said. “Perhaps one day you will return to your homeland.”
Erdogan recently addressed voters abroad and said it was thanks to his government that Turks abroad could “live with their heads held high” because Turkey was behind them. He called on voters to vote for him to keep it that way.
Around 1.5 million in Germany called for Turkey elections
As of today, 1.5 million Turks in Germany can have a say. You have until May 9th to cast your vote. According to the Federal Foreign Office, 16 polling stations were approved. The Turkish electoral authority YSK had previously spoken of 26 locations. The parliamentary and presidential elections in Turkey will not take place until May 14th. If none of the presidential candidates get more than 50 percent, the runoff will take place on May 28th.
Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir sees the possibility of a turnaround in Turkish politics in the forthcoming Turkish elections. A victory for opposition candidate Kilicdaroglu “would pave the way for a return to democracy,” the Greens politician told the editorial network Germany (RND). The outcome of the elections is “more open than ever” in Erdogan’s 20-year term as head of government.
In the last elections five years ago, there was a dispute about campaign appearances by Turkish politicians in Germany. A similar conflict is not expected this time. Such appearances by foreign politicians are now no longer permitted three months before the votes in their countries.
