Turkey votes for new president, parliament

The May 14th elections in Turkey are among the most important in the modern history of this state, which can either bring President Recep Tayip Erdogan down from power and end the increasingly authoritarian course of his government, or enable him to enter the third decade in power.

The votes will not only determine who will lead Turkey with the NATO member state of 85 million people, but also how the state will be led, which direction the economy, which has been hit by the cost of living crisis, and will shape foreign policy.

Polls have given Erdogan's main counterCandidate, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, a slight advantage. He is the candidate of the coalition consisting of six opposition parties. However, if no candidate manages to win over 50 per cent of the vote, the run-off run-off for presidential elections will be held 28 May.

Voters will also elect the new Parliament. The Parliament competition is expected to take place between the Alliance of Peoples coalition consisting of Erdogan's conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) and other nationalist parties, and the opposition coalition of Kicidaroglu, the National Alliance. On the opposition side, the secularist Republican People's Party (CHP) -- which was founded by Turkey's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Locations are open at 8:00 p.m. and will be closed at 5:00 local time. Under law in Turkey, the publication of any results is prohibited by 9:00. In late hours Sunday there may be clear indicators on whether there will be a run-off for presidential elections.

In Diyarbakir, a predominantly Kurdish resident city that was hit by February devastating earthquakes, some residents have said they would vote for the opposition, not for Erdogan.

“Need a change for our state”, said Nuri Can, 26, who cited the economic crisis as one of the reasons he has chosen to vote for Kilicdaroglu.

But, Hayati Arslan, 51, said he will continue for Erdogan and his party.

The state's economic situation is not good, but I still believe Erdogan can fix the situation. Turkey's pressure abroad has reached a very good point with Erdogan, and I want it to continue”, he said, Reuters reported.

Many of the provinces that were hit by earthquakes that left more than 50,000 people killed have expressed anger over the government's response.

Kurdish voters, who are about 15-20 percent of the electorate, will play a key role in the election, and will likely not be able to win the parliamentary majority alone.

The pro-Kurdish Democratic People's Party (HDP) is not part of the opposition bloc, but this subject strongly opposes Erdogan, following the persecution of members of this party that authorities have made for years.

Erdogan. 69, facing the largest political test. He enjoys the support of Turks who do not want a secular Turkey and he has survived a series of corruption scandals and coup attempt of 2016.

However, if Turks oust Erdogan from power, it is expected because they want prosperity, equality and basic things in the face of the economic crisis, with inflation reaching 85 per cent last October and the collapse of the Turkish lira.

Kilicdaroglu, 74, has promised that he will change economic direction if he wins the elections. It also wants to change the political system and turn the state into the parliamentary system. Kilicdaroglu has also pledged to restore the independence of the judiciary.

Over 64 million people, including 3.2 million members of the Turkish diaspora, have the right to vote in the May 14th elections. Over 1.6 million people have voted abroad. Traditionally, the exit to Turkish elections is high. / REL/