Magpie!May 14, 2023
Aral Balkan

Keeping my fingers crossed that Turkey can shed its Islamist autocrat today.

Not least of all because it would be good to be able to visit friends and family again.

https://ar.al/notes/my-speech-at-general-assembly-in-berlin-november-2017/

#turkey #türkiye #erdoğan #kılıçdaroğlu #turkishElection #democracy #autocracy #theocracy

Aral Balkan — My speech at General Assembly in Berlin, November 2017

May 14, 2023 at 8:11amWeb
Show threadAral BalkanMay 15, 2023

Well it looks like #Turkey’s presidential elections are heading for a runoff with neither #Erdoğan nor #Kılıçdaroğlu securing a majority (they have 49.35% and 45% of the vote, respectively, with 98.89% of the votes counted).

The other two candidates split the vote in Erdoğan’s favour, with far-right candidate Oğan at 5.22% and İnce, who withdrew with four days to go, at 0.43%.

IF the opposition votes all go to Kılıçdaroğlu in round two, he would win. One can only hope.

https://secim2023.trthaber.com/cumhurbaskani-secimi/genel-sonuclar

Show threadLoukas (They/Them) 🏳️‍⚧️May 15, 2023
@aral I worry both candidates will pivot towards even more nationalism to try to pick up the Oğan votes. I see he demanded that KK shut the HDP out.
Show threadAral BalkanMay 15, 2023
@Loukas Sadly, there’s more than one reason Turkey’s fucked up.
Show threadTenPastTwoMay 15, 2023
@aral I briefly went onto Twitter to read commentary on the Turkish elections, 90% of tweets were pro Erdogan which I don't believe for a second especially based on the urban rural split. Really brought home to me how biased Twitter timelines now are.
Show threadDesign by AdrianMay 18, 2023
@TenPastTwo @aral That’s because we know that Twitter throttled opposition tweets to guarantee that the whole platform wouldn’t be blocked. Elon Musk admitted as such. He’s an idiot.
Show threadAral BalkanMay 18, 2023
@designbyadrian @TenPastTwo Please, don’t insult actual idiots. He’s malicious pond scum.
Show threadDizzyMay 15, 2023
@aral Really amazing that the country has been run into the ground last 20 years and still people vote for dictatorship?
Show threadPanic In The DarkroomMay 15, 2023
@aral From my personal (likely flawed) experience in past Croatian elections, that is almost certainly false hope.
Show threadrtnMay 15, 2023
@aral Fingers crossed!
Show threadAxWaxMay 14, 2023
@aral Good luck - Turkey and its people so deserve a change for the better! 🤞
Show threadMasto.poetryMay 14, 2023

@aral

Funny thing when he first ran, he ran as an anti-Islamist. I have a lot of respect for the Islamic faith, but I think Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, or any other religion should not lead a country. It should give tomorrow underpinnings to the people that should not control the government.

Show threadSex Crazed SaltShaker of DeathMay 14, 2023
@aral Good luck with that. Fascists don't get voted out and then go away. The deep state concept started in Turkey, and erdogan has had plenty of time to get it ready.
Show threadTaliesenMay 14, 2023
@aral
Me too I hope the people win fingers crossed with you
Show threadShoq 🌿May 14, 2023
@aral Not looking too promising from here, damn it. Are there major pockets of resistance out there in the 63% remaining? What are the odds that any of this is are free and fair?
Show threaddon Elías (como los buses) 🥨May 14, 2023
@aral wow, that's a powerful speech. I hope you can return or visit to your country safely
Show threadMARGARET DMay 14, 2023
@aral I feel the same way. I love #Turkiye. I take inspiration from the vision of Ataturk, and I have such hope for the beautiful Turkish peoples.
Show threadScott KnowlesMay 14, 2023
@aral Erdogan's opponent may be better for Turkey's future and Turkish people, but there are reports he's blaming Syrian refugees for some of Turkey's problems. He may be better but he might not be all good. We'll see who wins.
Show threadDr. ir. Brian R. PauwMay 15, 2023
@aral here’s hoping. Is there anything that can be done to help? I’m afraid of a clampdown on opposition reporting and strong FUD tactics ruining chances in the runoff vote.