Turkey’s politicians vote in general election

Turkey’s prime minister and other leading politicians have cast their ballots in today’s key general election. Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted AK Party are confident the vote will go their way but analysts are predicting a reduced majority. Erdogan is relying on his party’s good economic record to pull in support but the AKP is suspected of wanting to push through Islamist-based changes to Turkey’s constitution.

That is something secular opposition parties, mainly the centre-left nationalist CHP and the right-wing nationalist MHP, are against. Around 43 million people are able to vote in the poll, with four million young people voting for the first time in a general election. Some independent, mostly pro-Kurdish, candidates are also standing and are tipped to win seats in the 550-member parliament. First results are expected sometime after 20.00 hours CET.

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