Turkish earthquake survivors reconsider election loyalty to Erdogan


FILE PHOTO: A Turkish flag with the Bosphorus Bridge in the background, flies on a passenger ferry in Istanbul, Turkey September 30, 2020. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

KAHRAMANMARAS, Turkey (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan could have relied on strong voter backing from Cigdemtepe and other villages and towns across southeast Turkey in the past, but a huge earthquake and a slow rescue response has made once loyal support more uncertain.

There are signs his AK Party (AKP) is increasingly aware that it cannot take past votes for granted, as officials talk of accelerating rebuilding plans before elections in May, which may prove the toughest of Erdogan's more than two decades in power.

The Star Festive Promo: Get 35% OFF Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

China's Ning upsets Stolz to win 1,500m speed skating gold at Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics (updated)
Egyptian-Chinese joint mission uncovers millennia-old limestone structure in Giza
Argentine labor reform faces key lower house vote as unions stage nationwide strike
China's Ning upsets Stolz to win men's 1,500m speed skating gold at Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Canada's int'l merchandise trade deficit widens in 2025
Real Madrid sends evidence to UEFA in Vinicius probe
Flash: China's Ning Zhongyan wins men's 1,500m speed skating gold with a new Olympic record at Milan-Cortina
Rwanda's central bank raises key rate to 7.25 pct as inflation pressures persist
Truck explosion in Chile's capital kills four, injures 17
Tanzania's Zanzibar partners with private firm for 12-mln-USD heritage restoration initiative

Others Also Read