15 May 2023

Turkey election tightens

From Morning Report, 6:12 am on 15 May 2023

The people of Turkey have been voting in a pivotal election overnight, which could end President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's 20-year reign as leader.

Turkey is currently in economic crisis and the Government has faced widespread criticism for its response to February's devastating earthquakes.

Voters in the quake-hit city of Adana say they are going through troubled times.

Ahead of today's vote, opinion polls gave Mr Erdogan's main challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, a slight lead, with two polls at the weekend showing him above the 50 percent threshold needed to win outright.

If neither wins more than 50 percent today, a runoff will be held on May the 28th.

RNZ correspondent Trent Murray is in Istanbul.