Turkish president Erdogan cancels election rallies for health reasons

Turkey’s longest-serving leader cut short a live TV interview saying he had an upset stomach

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Ankara Sports Hall on April 11th, 2023. Photograph: Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Ankara Sports Hall on April 11th, 2023. Photograph: Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images

Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan cancelled his scheduled campaign rallies on Wednesday and Thursday for health reasons, weeks before the May 14th presidential and parliamentary elections.

“Today, I will rest at home with the advice of my doctors,” Mr Erdogan wrote on his Twitter account on Wednesday.

Turkish health minister Fahrettin Koca said on Thursday that the president was in good health and would continue with his daily scheduled programmes as soon as possible.

Late on Tuesday, Mr Erdogan cut short a live TV interview during which he said he felt sick with an upset stomach.

READ MORE

“The infectious gastroenteritis he has experienced has lessened its effect,” Mr Koca said, speaking in the central Konya province

The elections represent the biggest electoral challenge for modern Turkey’s longest-serving leader, after a cost-of-living crisis eroded Mr Erdogan’s support.

Opinion polls show he could lose after two decades in power. – Reuters