Erdogan guarantees peaceable switch of energy if he loses: ‘I’ll do what democracy requires’ | Overseas

“A ridiculous query. We come to energy in Turkey by democratic means. If our nation decides in any other case, I’ll do what democracy calls for, I can’t do in any other case,” Erdogan stated on nationwide tv.

If the opposition is anxious in regards to the safety of the elections, they need to ship observers to all polling stations, says the Turkish president.

Erdogan, who has been in energy in Turkey for 20 years, additionally assumes that he will likely be re-elected on Sunday, regardless of being behind within the polls. It guarantees to be a neck-and-neck race with Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the 74-year-old chief of six opposition events (Desk of Six) who’ve joined forces to tackle the highly effective AKP. The Kurds additionally name on their supporters to assist Kilicdaroglu. Dutch Turks stated earlier on this newspaper that they concern that Erdogan won’t simply settle for a loss. A part of the Turkish-Dutch neighborhood desires the Dutch authorities to higher shield them in opposition to undesirable interference and intimidation from Turkey. They really feel unsafe due to ‘President Erdogan’s lengthy arm.’

Though Erdogan thought it was a “ridiculous query” from the journalist, the priority shouldn’t be solely inexplicable. In 2021 and 2023, main riots broke out in america and Brazil after Presidents Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro didn’t settle for their loss within the elections. Trump spoke with out proof of fraud and Bolsonaro additionally hinted at it, even earlier than the outcomes had been introduced. He by no means admitted his loss after that. Supporters stormed the parliament buildings in hopes of overturning the consequence.