Erdogan's shock election call brings cherished powers within reach

Erdogan's shock election call brings cherished powers within reach
Dominic Evans, David Dolan

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Tayyip Erdogan’s shock announcement of snap elections in June has caught Turkey’s troubled opposition off guard and brought him within reach of his cherished goal, a powerful presidency with sweeping executive powers.

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German gov't bans Turkish campaigning before elections - Xinhua | English.news.cn

German gov't bans Turkish campaigning before elections
Source: Xinhua 2018-04-20 23:59:32

BERLIN, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Turkish politicians will not be allowed to campaign in Germany ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections to be held in Turkey on June 24, the German government clarified on Friday.

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U.S. has 'concerns' about Turkey holding fair vote under state of emergency

U.S. has 'concerns' about Turkey holding fair vote under state of emergency

Reuters•April 19, 2018

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Thursday it had concerns about Turkey's ability to hold free and fair elections given the ongoing state of emergency, a day after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called for a snap vote on June 24.

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Afghans make long trek west before Turkey secures border

Afghans make long trek west before Turkey secures border
Ece Toksabay

AGRI, Turkey (Reuters) - On a mountainous road leading west from the Iranian border, 22-year-old Sunnatilla Rasulbek trudges through heavy rain, one of tens of thousands of Afghans hoping to find work and security in Turkey before a wall goes up to keep them out.

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Erdogan 'needs every vote' and is looking to Turks in U.S. for support

Erdogan 'needs every vote' and is looking to Turks in U.S. for support

The strongman's ruling party "has been suffering from an image problem in the U.S."

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Turkey: Why Erdogan Called Snap Elections

Turkey: Why Erdogan Called Snap Elections
(Stratfor)

The Big Picture

Stratfor's 2018 Second-Quarter Forecast indicated that Turkey's economic strain and attempts to capitalize on military successes could drive the country to hold early elections. That analysis has proved accurate, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for parliamentary and presidential elections to be held almost a year and a half ahead of schedule.

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4 factors that led to Turkey’s snap elections | European Council on Foreign Relations

4 factors that led to Turkey’s snap elections

Asli Aydıntaşbaş 19th April, 2018

Recep Tayyip Erdogan is trying to get ahead of a downward curve in Turkey’s fortunes. He has – probably – done enough to win this new snap vote

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Trump’s words for pastor clash with his praise of Erdogan | Newsday

Trump’s words for pastor clash with his praise of Erdogan
Updated April 18, 2018 9:07 PM

Since the Trump administration began, U.S.-Turkish relations have looked as muddled and disjointed as our dealings with the Russians and North Koreans.

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Opinion: Turkey getting a last shot at democracy | Middle East| News and analysis of events in the Arab world | DW | 18.04.2018

Opinion: Turkey getting a last shot at democracy

Turkey is heading for early elections on June 24. The winner of the crucial vote will wield extraordinary power, which is exactly what President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants, says DW's Seda Serdar.

More:Opinion: Turkey getting a last shot at democracy | Middle East| News and analysis of events in the Arab world | DW | 18.04.2018