Erdoğan Promises to Step Down as President If Sunday Election Did not Favor him
In response to worries that he might not step down from office, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated on Saturday that he would acknowledge the results of the election on Sunday and leave office if he lost.
When asked if he would maintain his position of authority in the event of defeat, Mr. Erdoğan responded with the assurance.
“A pretty absurd question… In Turkey, we were elected using democratic processes. There is nothing else I can do; if our country decides otherwise, I will follow democratic procedures,” he said.
“Any results coming out of the ballot box,” according to Mr. Erdoğan, will be respected by his bloc.
He suggested that the opposition send observers to the polls.
He suggested that if the opposition is worried about voting place security, they should monitor every polling place and “guarantee safety” exactly like Erdoğan’s party members do.
The nation’s will cannot be compromised, he continued.
The Turkish president is confident that on Sunday, he will win re-election and a legislative majority.
After 20 years in office, Mr. Erdoğan is facing his hardest electoral test amid widespread discontent over the country’s economic woes, the way the February earthquakes were handled, and the treatment of the approximately 3.5 million Syrian refugees.
Kemal Klçdarolu, the candidate for the united opposition, is marginally ahead in the polls.
