As Turkey gets ready for the presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14, Recep Tayyip Erdogan is fighting for his life.
His polling deficit is explained by three variables. First, Erdogan cannot rely on his autocratic promise of economic expansion and.
Social mobility to win his supporters or maintain political composure. This served Erdogan well for much of his 20 years in power but is now irrevocably damaged.
His hardline and misguided monetary policy has weakened and inflated the economy. In recent years, purchasing power has declined.
Increasing poverty and income inequality. Erdogan's economic woes continue. Second, and most importantly, he faces a united opposition.
An eclectic combination of six parties, bolstered by a kingmaker Kurdish political movement, supports Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
The leader of the social-democratic Republican People's Party and the Nation Alliance's nominee. Kilicdaroglu leads Erdogan in surveys, but barely.