Erdogan provides support for politician who emerged third in presidential elections

Sinan Ogan received 5.2 per cent of the vote in the first round of elections to be held on May 14th and unable to score victory from the first round.

It was the first time in 20 years in power that Erdogan did not win the first round elections, and he will face a run-off with Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the presidential candidate of six opposition parties.

Ogan met with the Turkish leader on Friday and held separate negotiations with opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu's allies.

“We will support the candidate of the People's Alliance, Recep Tayip Erdogan, during the second run of elections held on May 28th”, he said during a televised speech.

Ogan has portrayed himself as a supporter of Turkish nationalism supported by the founder of modern Turkey, Kemal Ataturk.

He has requested the immediate deportation of millions of migrants and has demanded that the state have a tougher attitude towards “terrorists” reference to Kurdish groups fighting for autonomy in southeast Turkey.

Despite the support offered to Erdogan, analysts have raised questions about whether its voters will vote for Erdogan.

However, Ogan's support for Erdogan undermines Kilicdaroglu's efforts to get as many votes among nationalists as possible for the second round of elections.