Turkish Voters Prepare to Head to the Polls in Historic Election Contest between Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu

Voters in Turkey are preparing to head to the polls this Sunday for the country’s general election, which has been described as the most consequential global election contest of the year. The election pits current President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been in power for 20 years, against the stiff competition of Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

The election comes in the wake of a series of earthquakes that rocked the country in January, leaving many homeless and in need of assistance. Beran, a 40-year-old furniture maker who is now living in a tent city near his old home with his wife and two children, said he felt offended by the government’s slow response to the disaster.

Despite Erdogan’s apology for the government’s slow response and his promise to build hundreds of thousands of new homes in the most affected areas, Ferdi Baran, whose apartment building was reduced to rubble in seconds, said he felt “distant” from all the candidates but was veering toward Erdogan.

The election is seen as a referendum on Erdogan’s 20-year rule, with many voters hoping for a change in leadership. Kilicdaroglu has been critical of Erdogan’s government, accusing them of “making propaganda against the opposition” and not doing enough to help those affected by the earthquakes.

The outcome of the election will be closely watched around the world, as it could signal a shift in the political landscape of Turkey. With the polls set to open this Sunday, voters will soon decide the future of the country.