Turkey begins final countdown to polling day

Election fever has gripped Turkey as the two main parties rally their faithful with just one week to go.

Reforms undertaken by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party have put him in a strong position – so strong that pundits are forecasting he will be returned with a two-thirds majority.

The economy may be growing and unemployment low, but the opposition Republican People’s Party has tried to make inroads on Erdogan’s popularity by offering support for less well off Turks.

Other issues include EU membership and a new constitution which will make a clean break with Turkey’s old military-influenced charter.

Euronews’ Bora Bayraktar said, “After many years Turkey is preparing to write its first civil constitution. That’s why the elections on June 12 are very important. The countdown to election day has begun.”

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