#Turkey Heads for its Dirtiest Election Yet

"Fearing a backlash from voters in response to the first recession in a decade, the government has employed its control of the media, courts, & the country’s voting machinery to undermine the opposition." https://t.co/PlfcymwPKK

— FDD (@FDD) March 29, 2019

This was not only from among HDP mayors in Kurdish areas, but also AKP's Melih Gokcek in Ankara, who was forced to step down. This in itself was ironic since many believed current opp person running in Ankara, Mansur Yavas, was cheated out by Gokcek, when he lost to him in 2014.

— Louis Fishman لوي فيشمان לואי פישמן (@Istanbultelaviv) March 30, 2019

As for Istanbul, its is up in air. Some state its impossible for CHP to take it. Yes, it is next to impossible. I have to admit @ekrem_imamoglu has ran a great campaign. AKP's candidate Binali Yildirim is a party functionary and without Erdogan would never have had a chance.

— Louis Fishman لوي فيشمان לואי פישמן (@Istanbultelaviv) March 30, 2019

But this is the point–this, like past seven elections and referendums Turkey has seen in the last 5 years, this is not more than a referendum on Erdogan. And, what is remarkable is that with all the AKP's resources, they are not able to scrape up more support. Turkey is divided.

— Louis Fishman لوي فيشمان לואי פישמן (@Istanbultelaviv) March 30, 2019

The 2009 municipal elections showed us economy can play role in local elections. And with Turkey's economy ailing, certainly gov could take a hit, even if small. So nonetheless tomorrow is a big day, that despite opp knowing cards stacked up against them, they'll get out in vote.

— Louis Fishman لوي فيشمان לואי פישמן (@Istanbultelaviv) March 30, 2019

The elections tuned into a vote of confidence for Mr. Erdogan. I never experienced such a mud fight before, Mr. Erdogan openly threatened the opposition leaders to put them into jail. He is lonely. The image of his last TV appearance speaks for itself:pic.twitter.com/aPbPMD6WQv

— Atilla Torgay🐬 (@atillatorgay) March 30, 2019

Lira wobbles as U.S. ties with Turkey fray https://t.co/xtKSSgE9MR pic.twitter.com/2tGBAqRitw

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 29, 2019

Erdoğan speaks at eight different rallies today, only two days before local polls |
Erdogan basically repeats 98% of the same speech but yet #CNNTurk carries every single each of them, not giving any room to the opposition. https://t.co/Tk5zUaYjvG pic.twitter.com/jA8vdpWPUn

— ilhan tanir (@WashingtonPoint) March 29, 2019

Pay attention to Hagia Sophia was converted into museum onlu short time ago — it was converted into a museum in 1935 by Turkey Republic's founder Ataturk. https://t.co/ORcxHLhY8C

— ilhan tanir (@WashingtonPoint) March 29, 2019

The #Turkish president #Erdogan is desperate to win the local election on March 31; he is willing to use any thing:
•Golan
•Gaza
•Hagia Sophia
Next he will promise to colonise Mars and conquer Jupiter.

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) March 25, 2019

Regardless of who wins, or is “announced to have won” tomorrow this was the dirtiest election campaign I have seen in my life time. It may also be the last local election we see as President Erdogan hinted at switching to a system that appoints mayors rather than electing them.

— Suat KINIKLIOGLU 🇺🇦🇹🇷 (@kinikli88_ENG) March 30, 2019

💬 Steven Cook: Erdogan set to win the elections, relaying on questions of God and identity

📌 "Erdogan has all the reasons to be scared for this election, but…"

🎙📻 @stevenacook @yavuzbaydar4 and @WashingtonPoint

🔷 Listen on @AhvalPod https://t.co/KT6zmNkGgk

— Ahval (@ahval_en) March 29, 2019