Turkish general and presidential elections will take place on June 24. Originally scheduled for November 2019, they were called a year and a half earlier than expected. It is the first vote after the 2017 constitutional referendum, which paved the way for the transformation of the Turkish system into a presidential republic, and the first consultation under the new electoral law. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, longstanding leader of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP),and current President of the Republic, is the leading candidate: before assuming the presidency in 2014, he served as Prime Minister for 11 years. Notwithstanding the short period of time at their disposal, opposition parties have managed to organise their campaigns, and are trying to provide the country with alternatives, other than the ruling political leadership. Which scenarios could materialise after the upcoming vote? Which prospects for Erdoğan, and for the oppositions? How are the candidates, including the President, managing their campaigns? Given the very delicate moment for Turkey’s economic, socio-political and international status, what is at stake in these elections?
ISPI
