Erdogan’s presidential rivals fight for airtime

Semih Idiz

Aug 5, 2014

Turkey's Prime Minister and presidential candidate Tayyip Erdogan (C) greets his supporters during an election rally in Istanbul August 3, 2014. Turkey will vote for its first directly-elected president on August 10. The slogan in the background taht reads: "Add more strength to Turkey's power" REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - RTR41360 — Turkey's Prime Minister and presidential candidate Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) greets his supporters during an election rally in Istanbul, Aug. 3, 2014. — REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Türkçe

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to win the presidential elections on Aug. 10 and become Turkey’s first directly elected president. But will he assume the presidency after an election campaign that was conducted fairly and on equal terms for all the candidates?

His rivals do not believe this to be the case. They accuse Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) government of using its powers to withhold equal time, denying them opportunity while promoting Erdogan.