Introduction

This week on podcast we look at the fallout from the first round of Turkey’s presidential and parliamentary elections. President Erdogan is just a hair's breadth away from securing the 50% of the vote needed to become president. With Turkey set to enter a presidential run-off on 28 May we ask what this means for Turkey’s fragile democracy? Has the opposition under Kilicdaroglu lost momentum? And what impact did issues such as identity politics, the economy, foreign policy, and the devastating earthquakes play in the election? 

We also look more broadly to what the result means for Turkey’s place in the world. With Turkey potentially about to enter a third decade of rule under Erdogan, where will this place Ankara’s ties with Russia, Europe, and the United States? What does this mean for Sweden’s entry into NATO? And what does the election result mean for the future of Turkey’s fragile economy?

Joining Bronwen Maddox on the show this week is Galip Dalay is an Associate Fellow with our MENA programme; Timothy Ash an Associate Fellow with our Russia, and Eurasia programme; Evren Balta, a Professor of International Relations at Özyeğin University and journalist Guney Yildiz, formerly with the BBC, but now with Cambridge University. 

Read our expertise:

Turkey’s next leader may be pro-West but not anti-Russia

Turkey elections: High stakes for democracy

Turkey at a crossroads

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Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Sound by Abdul Boudiaf and Alex Moyler.