Elections in Turkey Take Surprising Turn with Withdrawal

Muharrem Ince, the leader of the centre-left Homeland Party, has announced that he is withdrawing from Turkey’s presidential election, a move that is likely to bolster President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Ince has faced intense criticism for splitting the votes of the six-party Nation Alliance, which has united behind Kilicdaroglu’s candidacy, and possibly forcing the presidential race into a second round.

Ince’s decision comes as a surprise, as he has been one of the four contenders running for president in the May 14 election. When his candidacy was announced, he polled around 8% of the votes, but his popularity ratings have since dropped to around 2%, according to opinion polls. Despite his declining popularity, Ince remains a widely known figure in Turkish politics, with a reputation as a firebrand politician.

Ince has not explicitly stated that he is withdrawing from the race in support of Kilicdaroglu, but analysts believe that his decision is likely to benefit the Nation Alliance. Although Ince has not explicitly endorsed Kilicdaroglu, his withdrawal is expected to transfer some of the Homeland Party’s supporters to the main opposition party leader.

The Nation Alliance members have welcomed Ince’s decision to step down, with Gultekin Uysal, leader of the centre-right Democrat Party, saying “God willing, our nation will take the necessary step in the days ahead so that we will (succeed) in the first round.” Ince has urged his supporters to cast their votes for the Homeland Party in the parliamentary elections, which will take place on the same day as the presidential election.

In his address to reporters, Ince said, “I am withdrawing from the race. I am doing this for my country.” His decision has sparked widespread interest in Turkey, with many speculating about the potential impact on the election outcome. While Ince’s withdrawal may not necessarily ensure a victory for Kilicdaroglu, it is likely to make it more difficult for Erdogan to win the election in the first round. As Ince himself said, “They will have no excuses if they lose the election,” an apparent reference to Kilicdaroglu.