ISTANBUL — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received a boost on Monday in hopes of extending his 20-year rule when the eliminated candidate in the presidential race endorsed him in the second round.
Sinan Ogan, who placed third in the May 14 vote with nearly 5.2% of ballots, encouraged his supporters to back Erdogan for a third term.
“I declare that I will support the People’s Alliance candidate, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the second round of the elections,” Ogan told a news conference in Ankara.
The first round of the presidential race — held alongside a parliamentary election that saw the ruling alliance secure a majority — left Erdogan just short of the 50% threshold to win outright.
