Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his commitment to the well-being of Turkey’s 85 million citizens ahead of the upcoming presidential runoff, assuring them that they would emerge as the ultimate beneficiaries.
“All who have confidence in the national will, have a dream for our country and feel they belong to these lands will be a winner in the May 28 elections,” Erdogan said at his last rally in Istanbul on Saturday ahead of the polls.
“Those who, despite all the provocations, do not cast a shadow over the polls, do not ignore the rule of law or legitimacy, and who believe in the changing power of civil politics will be counted as the victors in these elections no matter the results,” he added.
Turkey is set for a second round of voting to determine its next president, as none of the candidates secured the required 50% majority in the initial round held two weeks ago. The parliamentary elections held on May 14 resulted in President Erdogan’s People’s Alliance securing a majority, while the presidential race proceeded to a runoff due to no candidate surpassing the 50% threshold.
In the upcoming runoff, President Erdogan will compete against Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the primary opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), who is also the joint candidate for the opposition Nation Alliance, consisting of six political parties.
“We will win in such a way that all of Türkiye with its 85 million individuals will win. Our nation with all its colors will win, and our democracy, for which we paid a great price, will win.
“Regardless of which political party they fall in love with, all voters who show their will through legitimate means will win,” Erdogan said.
Erdogan expressed his belief that voters who supported opposition parties such as the CHP, DEVA, HDP, and IYI Party in the May 14 elections would shift their support to the People’s Alliance in the upcoming runoff. He expressed confidence in attracting voters from these opposition parties to his alliance for the Sunday election.
“We will invite them too, they are the children of this nation. I hope we will walk together,” he added.
Erdogan concluded his election campaign for the presidential run-off by visiting the renowned Eyup Sultan Mosque in Istanbul. The mosque holds significant importance in Turkey, as it houses the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a companion of Prophet Muhammad.
President Erdoğan had concluded his election campaign for the first round by visiting Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque for evening prayers.
Today, he visited Eyüp Sultan Mosque, where tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari — a close companion Prophet Muhammad, is located pic.twitter.com/dr1LDGRbqL
— Mehmet Çelik (@celik) May 27, 2023
Prior to this, in the first round of the vote, Erdogan concluded his campaign with a visit to Hagia Sophia, where he engaged in evening prayers and recited verses from the Quran.
Via: Muslim Mirror
