Turkey election: Erdoğan endorsed by third-place ‘kingmaker’ ahead of runoff vote
GuardianMAY 2023
The Spin
Narrative A
Under the leadership of Erdoğan and his AK Party, Turkey has broken away from a long record of corrupt, ineffective coalition governments to become a regional and international reference in several sectors, including governance and public services. The re-election of Erdoğan will preserve the integrity of the state ahead of the upcoming second centenary of the republic.
Narrative B
While it is yet to be seen how Ankara will balance its deepening ties with Moscow and its NATO membership in the upcoming years, another five-year term under Erdoğan will surely mean continuation of current policy. As divisions between the world's democracies and autocracies become increasingly stark, Turkey is dangerously backsliding on democratic institutions and civil liberties.