Devastating earthquake in Turkey could postpone presidential elections

Although officially not talking about delaying the election date, which is exactly three months from today, statements are multiplying.

Over 35,000 dead, cities and flat infrastructure -- a negative effect on the economy -- represent a scene affecting the prosperity of a pre-election period.

The wave was opened by ruling AKP press representative Omer Celik, who answered an Anadolu question that “at the moment are struggling to save lives from the ruins. We consider it a big mistake to talk about elections. ”

He made even clearer the AKP official's intentions when he told Reuters: “imagine going to Hatay and other cities and set up polling stations? Is that possible? The country is in a state of emergency. There must be a delay. ”

He himself appears to favour November as the most suitable period for holding elections “for the people to heal the wounds”.

A government official also raised practical issues on behavior, besides political ones: “Where will the polling stations be located? “, he asked, demanding that the affected return to normality as well.

But he also judges that “would be useful to postpone elections by November “.

AKP's Bulent Aris also called for a postponement (without suggesting a date) so that the state will focus on dealing with the disaster. He also suggested that there be a change in the Constitution for the possibility of postponement due to the earthquake.

The opposition had to announce its candidate name against Erdogan these days, but the earthquake completely changed priorities. For the scripts of postponement, he already declares that otherwise. CHP President Kemal Kilicdaroglu stressed that “will not give you a single day. Don't be afraid of elections. Or rather be afraid, the choices will take place on time! ”