Ex-candidate Ogan plans to back Erdogan in runoff: Reports

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
22 May 2023 11:34

Information obtained by the Hurriyet newspaper indicated that Ogan will accuse Kilicdaroglu of supporting terrorist organizations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meeting with the former presidential candidate of the ATA Alliance Sinan Ogan at Dolmabahce Office in Istanbul, released on May 19, 2023 (AFP)

Sinan Ogan, the former candidate of the ATA Alliance in the Turkish presidential election, is expected to announce on Monday his support for incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in next week's runoff, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported, citing sources.

In the first round of the election, Erdogan received 49.52% of the vote, while his main opposition opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu received 44.88%. Ogan came in third with over 5%, making him a potential game-changer in the second round scheduled for May 28.

Information obtained by the newspaper indicated Ogan would announce his decision later in the day, adding that he will also state that Kilicdaroglu "supports terrorist organizations," and therefore, does not deserve to become the next Turkish President.

Hurriyet mentioned that Ogan will reportedly touch on issues that he discussed with Erdogan, where the two allegedly agreed not to change the first four articles of the constitution, to preserve Turkish identity there, to fight all kinds of terrorist groups, and to gradually deport asylum seekers according to a plan.

In addition, the two sides achieved an understanding that there must be economic development in line with international practice and more flexibility in the interest rate.

Last week, Ogan announced a series of conditions that will be key to his decision to support any of the candidates.

Among other things, he demanded that no seats be given to members of the opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which he said is a political wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

In this election, the HDP decided not to nominate its own candidate and supported Kilicdaroglu.