Neither President Erdogan nor challenger Kilicdaroglu has received more than 50 percent of the vote. That is why there will be a by-election in the country in a few weeks. Turkey’s third presidential candidate, Sinan Ogan, received a rather surprising 5 percent of the vote. It was higher than expected. Now they are keeping a close eye on who Ogan gives support to. Several Turks have followed the election campaign closely. Here supporters of Erdogan celebrate after the polls earlier in the evening. Photo: UMIT BEKTAS / Reuters In a few days, he will urge his voters to either vote for Erdogan or Kilicdaroglu. His choice could affect the future of millions of refugees. Wants to throw out Syrian refugees Sinan Ogan has had a clear nationalist campaign, believes Einar Wigen, Turkey expert and professor at the University of Oslo. – He is adamant about throwing out Syrian refugees, and that Kiliçdaroglu is too weak against the PKK, says Wigen. There are over 4 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey. These tents in Gaziantep were set up after the earthquakes earlier this year. Photo: AFP There are over 4 million refugees living in Syria. A controversial agreement between the EU and Turkey in 2016, where Turkey received several billion euros in exchange for the country slowing the flow of refugees and migrants to Europe, has also contributed to many Syrians living in the country. A survey from 2019 shows that around 80 percent of Turks want Syrians to return. In the last two years, xenophobia and racism have also increased in Turkey, according to Human Rights Watch. Especially against Syrian refugees. In the run-up to the presidential election, several in the opposition have been adamant that they must return to Syria. This, despite the fact that Syria is not considered safe by the UN. The fate of millions of refugees in Turkey has therefore become politics in Turkey. All three presidential candidates are clear that the refugees must return, but the procedure is different. Ogan received over 5 percent of the vote in the election. It was more than the polls before the election had predicted. Photo: AP Sinan Ogan believes that the refugees can be sent back by force if necessary. On Twitter, he often criticizes the current government for its refugee policy, characterizing Syrian refugees as criminals. Several refugees now fear mass deportation after the election. – I am not voting for any of the presidential candidates, says Syrian-Palestinian Ezzat and continues: – Since they have tried to normalize relations with the Assad regime and promised to send Syrians back, which has led to more racism and hatred towards us. – Lesser of two evils The current president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has received strong criticism for the way he has handled the refugee crisis, especially from the right. Last year, the sitting president created a volunteer program, building houses in Syria that people could return to. But it is debated how voluntary it is. According to Human Rights Watch, Syrian refugees have been forcibly returned. Erdogan received the most votes during the election. Here he greets supporters on the night of Monday. Photo: MURAT CETINMUHURDAR/PPO / Reuters They have told of poor treatment, mistreatment, and that those with weapons pointed at them must have been forced to cross the border. Erdogan has said he wants to reconcile with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and plans to deport a million Syrians to Syria. Despite the fact that Erdogan also wants to return Syrians to their homeland, several Syrian voters see him as the lesser of two evils, says Abdulkader Alflefl, who is a member of the Syrian National Council in Turkey. Looking to the EU Kilicdaroglu, on the other hand, is looking to the EU for help. He has been clear that Syrians must return within two years, but on a voluntary basis. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu heads the Social Democratic Party Republican People’s Party. Photo: YASIN AKGUL / AFP He specifies that he will do it in a safe and secure way. To achieve that, he wants to get help from the EU to build homes, schools and hospitals in Syria. According to the pro-government daily newspaper Daily Sabah, Kilicdaroglu is said to have said that he will open the borders to the EU countries if he does not get the funds he wants. – If you do not provide these funds, I will not keep these people here. Sorry, I’ll open the doors. They can go wherever they want. It is expected that Ogan will announce who he will give his support to in the next few days. The by-election will be on 28 May.
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Can decide the fate of millions of refugees – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
