Sanan Ogun, a little-known hardline nationalist candidate who won 5.2 percent of the vote in the initial presidential election, has announced his support for President Tayyip Erdogan in the upcoming election. The unexpected endorsement gives a significant boost to Erdogan’s campaign and presents new challenges for opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
Ogun’s emergence as a potential “kingmaker” has caught the attention of analysts and the public. During a press conference, he emphasized the role of his campaign in uplifting Turkish nationalists and criticized Kılıkdaroğlu’s Nation Alliance for failing to convince them about the future. Ogun’s support is based on the principle of continuous struggle against terrorism.
In early voting, Erdogan received 49.5% of support to Kilicdaroglu’s 44.9%, giving Erdogan’s ruling coalition a parliamentary majority. That bodes well for Erdogan as he looks to extend his two-decade rule in one of Turkey’s most important elections.
Ogun, a former academic and first-term presidential candidate representing a right-wing coalition, is known for his anti-immigrant stance in the country that hosts the largest number of refugees. Its aim is to remove the two majority Kurdish parties from the political equation and strengthen Turkish nationalists and secularists.
Republican People’s Party candidate Kılıkdaroğlu has promised to reverse many of Erdogan’s policies, including addressing the cost-of-living crisis resulting from an unconventional economic program.
Erdogan welcomed Ogan’s endorsement, highlighting their common views on the fight against terrorism and relations with Turkish states. Referring to Ogan’s anti-immigrant stance, Erdogan mentioned a plan to resettle one million refugees in Syria.
Ogun’s support is expected to boost Erdogan’s campaign but could also divide his own supporters. The Victory Party will announce its position on the run-off separately. Ogun’s stronger-than-expected performance surprised pollsters, signaling a surge in nationalist support.
As the run-off approaches, the conservative Oglu has stepped up his rhetoric, vowing to repatriate all migrants if elected. A member of Erdogan’s Etihad Justice Party has defected and supported Kelikdaroglu.
Some disillusioned voters have expressed reluctance to enter the race, citing concerns about candidates’ alignment with terrorist organizations.
Ogun’s political career includes entering parliament in 2011, unsuccessful bid for party leadership in 2015, and subsequent expulsion.
