Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed that he will be the candidate of the Republican Alliance in the elections in June next year, Turkish private television NTV reported, quoted by BTA.
Erdogan also called on the opposition alliance to announce its candidate, addressing the leader of the largest opposition force, the People’s Republican Party (NRP), Kemal Kalachdaroglu, as saying, “You can no longer avoid the candidacy issue. Announce either your candidate or your candidacy “.
The president, who is also the leader of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), spoke at a party meeting in Izmir.
According to Erdogan, the NRP leader is now seeking the presidency, but instead of acting “manly”, he is trying to achieve his goal by detours.
“The time has come to make decisions,” the president said, reiterating his call on Kilicdaroglu to reveal his plans.
“You have nowhere to run, Mr. Kemal. Recover as long as you torture your party, Mr. Kemal,” Erdogan said.
The president said that if the opposition’s argument for not presenting its candidate was that the Republican Alliance’s candidate had not yet been announced, “here, I say, this is Tayyip Erdogan.” If they say that the date of the elections must be clarified first, then, I say this, the elections will be in mid-June next year, Erdogan added.
Turkish analysts believe Kilicdaroglu is the most likely opposition presidential candidate to face incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the next elections, scheduled for June 2023.
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