Sinan Ogan, a relatively unknown hardline nationalist candidate who garnered 5.2% of the vote in the initial presidential election, has announced his support for President Tayyip Erdogan in the upcoming runoff. This unexpected endorsement presents a significant boost to Erdogan’s campaign and poses fresh challenges for opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
Ogan’s emergence as a potential “kingmaker” has captured the attention of analysts and the public alike. In a press conference, he emphasized the role his campaign played in elevating Turkish nationalists and criticized Kilicdaroglu’s Nation Alliance for failing to persuade him about the future. Ogan’s decision to back Erdogan is rooted in the principle of an unwavering fight against terrorism.
In the initial vote, Erdogan secured 49.5% support compared to Kilicdaroglu’s 44.9%, with Erdogan’s ruling party coalition also securing a parliamentary majority. This puts Erdogan in a favorable position as he seeks to extend his two-decade-long rule in one of Turkey’s most critical elections.
Ogan, a former academic and the first-round presidential candidate representing a right-wing alliance, is known for his anti-immigrant stance in a country that hosts the largest number of refugees. His objectives include sidelining two predominantly Kurdish parties from the political landscape and bolstering Turkish nationalists and secularists.
Erdogan welcomed Ogan’s endorsement, highlighting their shared views on combating terrorism and relations with Turkic states. While addressing Ogan’s anti-immigrant stance, Erdogan mentioned plans to repatriate one million refugees to Syria.
Ogan’s support is expected to strengthen Erdogan’s campaign, although it may also divide his own supporters. The Victory Party, to which Ogan belongs, will announce its stance on the runoff separately. Ogan’s stronger-than-expected performance in the initial vote surprised pollsters, signaling a surge in nationalist support.
As the runoff approaches, Kilicdaroglu has intensified his rhetoric, pledging to repatriate all migrants if elected. Additionally, a member of Erdogan’s alliance, the Justice Party, has broken away to endorse Kilicdaroglu.
Some disillusioned voters express hesitancy to participate in the runoff, citing concerns about the candidates’ associations with terrorist organizations.
Ogan’s political career includes entering parliament in 2011, an unsuccessful bid for party leadership in 2015, and subsequent expulsion.
