In preparation for the elections, Erdogan takes new measures to restore his popularity

11th March 2023

1 minute read

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is trying to restore his popularity, which plummeted due to his government’s policy and its response to the catastrophe of the February 6 earthquake, by replacing a number of officials in his party in preparation for the elections that will take place next May.

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) dismissed five provincial governors of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) – Ağrı, Aksaray, Bartın, Kirklareli and Van – and appointed new presidents, Turkish newspaper Zaman reported.

In the statement issued by the AKP presidency, with the approval of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Orhan Gongor was appointed regional chairman of Ağrı, Hamzah Akturk was appointed for Aksaray, Yasar Arslan was designated as regional chairman of Partain District, Younis Erkan Datash was appointed as head of Kırklareli Province, and Emre Jurai was appointed as president of Van Province.

In its statement, the party thanked the former provincial chiefs who had served in these provinces “for their dedicated work and efforts so far” and wished the new provincial chiefs success.

Related to Erdogan’s popularity, Reuters said: Erdogan’s electoral base was the most politically affected by the devastating February 6 earthquake.

Reuters interviewed citizens in three states; It is: Kahramanmaraş, Adıyaman, and Gaziantep, which were affected by the devastating earthquake, before the opposition Nation Alliance announced the candidacy of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu to compete with President Erdogan.

Respondents said they had always supported the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), but the recent earthquake changed their perception completely, with rescue teams lagging behind and tents set up in the areas.

They said they would give their votes to the opposition, only because the mayor of some municipalities comes from the nationalist base.

An ORC poll found opposition candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu outperforming Erdogan by 13%.