UPDATE - Turkish people will show strong democracy in upcoming election runoff: President Erdogan

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM PRESIDENT ERDOGAN

By Dilara Hamit and Busra Nur Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish president in an interview discussed the second round of the presidential election on May 28, expressing his belief that the Turkish people will once again demonstrate their strong democracy, with a significant voter turnout reaching up to 90%.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan also addressed various topics ranging from the election process to foreign policy during his interview with CNN International.

When asked about his comfort level, given his successful track record in winning elections over the past 20 years and breaking records, Erdogan reiterated his confidence in the Turkish people and their strong democracy, emphasizing the importance of the high voter turnout. He expressed hope that the people would not disappoint.

On the reminder of US President Joe Biden labeling him as an autocrat during his election campaign, the Turkish president questioned how a person who made it to the second round, not the first, could be considered a dictator.

He stressed that the People's Alliance would enter parliament with 322 deputies, and the person leading the alliance (Erdogan) would emerge as the winner of the second round, asking: "What kind of dictatorship is this?"

When asked if he would work with the Biden administration if reelected, Erdogan stated that there was no doubt that he would work with President Biden, and that if the Biden administration changes he would work with the new one as well.

In response to a question about the West's stance towards Russia in the Ukraine conflict, with reference to his previous comments about the West pursuing a more provocative policy, President Erdogan said the West had not demonstrated a balanced approach in this regard.

He argued that a balanced approach toward a country like Russia would have been more appropriate. He emphasized the need for mutual cooperation in the world and highlighted his positive relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that the West should adopt a similar approach.

Erdogan also mentioned the Black Sea Grain Corridor, where Türkiye meets the needs not only of the West but also of African countries, highlighting the extension of grain processes with Russia, thanks to his special relationship with Putin.

Saying that the opposition is calling for the mass deportation of Syrian refugees in Türkiye, Erdogan noted that “it is impossible to agree with that.”

“But I can tell that Turkish NGOs are now doing serious work in terms of reconstruction in northern Syria. They’re building houses. These houses are built so that Syrians in Türkiye can return to their homeland,” he said.

“Now we are taking another step. In fact, we have also prepared some projects related to housing construction in Syria for the return of nearly 1 million refugees to their lands. These are pretty cool projects. Together with these projects, we will ensure that Syrian refugees return to their own countries, to their own lands,” he added.

Responding to a question on whether restoring relations with Syrian regime head Bashar al-Assad is a possibility, Erdogan said: “I’ve made some remarks on this. I had a friendship with the Assad family. We used to meet as a family. We were in such a position. Unfortunately, due to some later developments, there was a break in our close relations. This break also upset us.”

“(Through) my friendship with President Putin, we thought we could open a door, specifically in our fight against terrorism in the northern part of Syria, which requires close cooperation and solidarity. If we can do that, I said I see no obstacle that would remain in the way of our reconciliation,” he added.

When asked about Assad’s demand on Türkiye to withdraw its military from Syria for a meeting, Erdogan said: “We have more than 900 kilometers (559 miles) of border and there is a constant terror threat from those borders on our country. The only reason we have a military presence on the border is to fight terrorism. That’s the sole reason.”

Erdogan said Türkiye will not withdraw from Syria because “the terror threat continues.” ​​​​​​​

Erdogan’s People’s Alliance won a majority in parliament, while the presidential race is headed to a second round on May 28.

In the first round held on May 14, no candidate won an outright majority, although Erdogan was leading.

Erdogan will face Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition CHP and joint candidate for the six-party opposition Nation Alliance, in the runoff vote.​​​​​​​