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Why Turkey's upcoming elections matter so much for the world

By Sarah Dadouch

08 May 2023 · 6 min read

Editor's Note

Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has led the country for 20 years. Now, he faces his most serious political challenge. The Washington Post explains why this election is so important.

On May 14, tens of millions of Turkish voters will head to the polls to cast their ballots for president and parliament in a pivotal election that could unseat President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has led the country for two decades.

It is Erdogan's most serious political challenge since his party's sweeping victory in the 2002 elections. Though his opponents have long criticized his accumulation of power and muzzling of political dissent, Erdogan is still hugely popular among his base.

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