Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025

Erdogan rival takes aim at refugees ahead of runoff vote

Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu on Thursday switched his focus to the refugee issue as he delivered one of the most “nationalistic” speeches of his presidential campaign.
How this anti-refugee sentiment resonates with voters remains to be seen.

Kilicdaroglu’s speech, intending to win nationalistic voters from his rival Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is being widely seen as an attempt to scapegoat refugees for some of Turkiye’s deeply rooted problems.

“We received the message from our voters. Some did not go to vote, some voted in reaction to us, and others voted for Erdogan but were not convinced,” he said before adding that if elected, he will send refugees back to their homeland.

“Our women won’t be able to walk in the streets on their own. If Erdogan wins, he will bring another 10 million refugees,” Kilicdaroglu said.

Turkiye is home to about 4.5 million Syrian refugees, according to official figures.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said in a televised interview on Wednesday that the government will not make Turkiye a refugee depot, but added that “the Syrians are our brothers and we cannot send them to death.”

The Turkish government is planning to build 240,000 houses for more than 1 million Syrians expected to move to the region.

In a video released by Kilicdaroglu on Wednesday, he said: “We will not abandon our homeland with this mentality that has brought 10 million irregular refugees to us.”

In the first round of presidential elections, Kilicdaroglu secured 44.96 percent of the votes, while the incumbent Erdogan received 49.4 percent.

The opposition, in a move to increase its vote share, is trying to court the voter base of Sinan Ogan, the third presidential campaigner whose ultranationalist and anti-refugee agenda won him 5.2 percent of the votes in the first round.

Sinem Adar, an associate at the Center for Applied Turkiye Studies in Berlin, told Arab News that the “tone and style” of Kilicdaroglu’s latest statement may be aimed at forging an alliance with Ogan ahead of the May 28 presidential runoff.

“The results of the parliamentary elections showed once again that nationalistic discourse has increased its public visibility and presence,” she said. “But one thing is mostly ignored: Both the government and the opposition think the same over the repatriation of refugees.”

Adar said the Turkish government is seeking an agreement with the Assad regime to prepare the ground for a repatriation plan.

Millions of Syrians in Turkiye have been targeted by xenophobic rhetoric across the political divide in recent years.

Some observers in Ankara claim that Ogan has been offered the post of immigration minister if Kilicdaroglu wins, but there has been no official confirmation.

Omar Kadkoy, a project manager who works on migration at the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkiye, told Arab News that the results of the first round have forced Kilicdaroglu to strengthen his nationalist rhetoric and appeal to Ogan and his base.

“The cheapest way is inflating the number of asylum seekers and refugees,” he said.

However, Kadkoy said that the number of Syrians under temporary protection — the largest group of forcibly displaced migrants in the country — has declined steadily from 3.7 million to 3.4 million since 2021.

Almost 60,000 Syrians left Turkiye after the devastating February earthquakes, defense chief Hulusi Akar recently announced.

Kadkoy said it is unclear if Kilicdaroglu’s promises will deliver victory in the presidential runoff.

“It will a bumpy and long ride for him. If he secures the presidency, then comes Assad whose maximalist position on Turkiye is unlikely to change,” Kadkoy said.

“Kilicdaroglu needs more than a couple of videos on Twitter to deliver on his populist promises.”

Turkiye’s government is holding high-level talks with Damascus, which wants a commitment from Ankara to withdraw its military presence in northern Syria.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
California Wildfires Set to Become Costliest in U.S. History
U.S. Military Assistance to Israel Surges to $22 Billion in Wake of October 7 Events
Military Appeals Court Upholds 9/11 Plea Deals, Limiting Defense Secretary's Authority
Taliban Imposes New Law: Blocking Windows to Prevent Visibility of Women
Afghanistan has announced war against Pakistan following reports that Pakistani airstrikes killed more than 46 civilians.
Answering incorrectly to the question 'Are you Alawi or Sunni?' in Syria these days could be detrimental to your well-being.
Israeli Military Operations in Gaza, Netanyahu's Corruption Trial, and Global Political Shifts: A Complex Interplay of Geopolitical and Economic Dynamics
Global Developments: Vaccine Controversy, Syrian Rebuilding, Natural Disasters, and Escalating Geopolitical Tensions
Israel's Strategic Maneuvers and U.S. Legal Actions Amidst Syria's Political Upheaval
Global Military Shifts, Gender Inequality, and Economic Alliances: Key Developments in the Post-Assad Era
International Condemnation and Mediation Efforts in Response to Israeli Actions in the Golan Heights Amid Middle Eastern Tensions
Global Tensions and Efforts for Peace: Cross-Cultural Dialogues, Regional Conflicts, and International Diplomacy
Saudi Arabia's Expanding Global Influence: From Water Management Leadership to Cultural and Economic Partnerships
Global Diplomatic Advances: Expanding Judicial, Human Rights, and Geopolitical Partnerships in the Middle East and Beyond
Strengthening UK-Gulf Relations and Addressing Global Challenges: A Diplomatic Overview
Cultural Heritage, Political Change, and Economic Growth: Key Developments Across the Middle East
Key Developments in Middle East Relations, Judicial Reforms, and Energy Partnerships Highlight Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 Ambitions
Economic Growth and Innovation Drive Middle Eastern Developments: A Look at Egypt's Treasury Bill Success, Saudi Arabia's Expanding US Relations, Sustainability Initiatives, and Vision 2030 Achievements
UK Considers Delisting HTS Amid Complex Regional Dynamics and Global Security Implications
Global Developments: Saudi Arabia Embraces Cashless Innovation, Syria's Human Rights Struggles, Trump's Controversial Plans, Ghana's Leadership Shift, South Korea's Political Crisis, and Saudi-Japan Economic Partnership
Political Turmoil and Economic Ambitions: Macron's Coalition Efforts, MENA Startup Surge, and Global Initiatives in Integration and Innovation
Turkiye Advocates for Syrian Unity Amid Regional Turmoil; Israeli-Lebanese Tensions and Iran's Strategic Moves Highlight Middle Eastern Shifts
Kanlaon Volcano Erupts in the Philippines and Disrupts in the Middle East: Political Shifts, Oil Market Ripples, and Regional Instability
Global Turmoil: Taiwan Enhances Defenses, Indian Schools Face Bomb Hoaxes, and Middle East Conflicts Escalate
Global Political Shifts: From Trump's Strategic Appointments to Middle Eastern Power Realignments
Escalating Conflicts and Strategic Shifts Across the Middle East and North Africa
Syria's Historic Transition: The Fall of Assad and New Geopolitical Dynamics
Global Shifts: Saudi-UK Trade Goals, Syrian Regime Change, and U.S. Post-Assad Strategy
Saudi Arabia's Multi-Faceted Strategy: Embracing Sustainability, Tourism Excellence, and Regional Stability
Saudi Arabia Advances Transparency and Partnerships in Vision 2030 Push
Saudi Arabia Navigates Post-Assad Syria, Fossil Discoveries, and Economic Growth Amidst Regional Turmoil
Geopolitical Maneuvers and Sustainable Developments: Israel's Buffer Zone Tactics, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 Innovations, and Egypt's Aviation Advancements
NASA's Artemis II Delayed to 2026, While Saudi Arabia Advances Cultural and Humanitarian Initiatives
Key Global Developments: Saudi Oil Price Adjustments, Surging Makkah Tourism, Syrian Conflict Shifts, and Saudi Pro League Highlights
Global Shifts: Diplomatic Talks, Economic Growth, and Regional Upheavals Reshape the Geopolitical Landscape
Insurgents Enter Damascus as Assad's Regime Faces Historic Collapse
Global Political Shifts: Defense Enhancements, Diplomatic Missions, and Civic Engagement Initiatives
Diplomatic Efforts Highlight Regional Tensions and Cooperation at IISS Manama Dialogue Amidst Humanitarian and Natural Crises
From Gulf Diplomacy to Global Resilience: Key Developments Shaping Regional and International Landscapes
Saudi Arabia Intensifies Immigration Control, Strengthens Diplomatic and Cultural Engagements
Global Political Tensions and Ambitious Developments Amid Regional Security Challenges
Philippines Celebrates Extensive Christmas Season; Saudi Innovations in Maritime Safety, Tourism, and Global Diplomacy; Healthcare Advancements and Regional Tensions Also Spotlighted
PIA Returns to European Skies Amid Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and COP16 Initiatives
Global Tensions Rise: Strategic Wins, Diplomatic Strains, and Humanitarian Crises Test Resilience
Global Political Turmoil and Humanitarian Efforts: A Snapshot of International Developments
Tensions and Triumphs: A Global Overview of Diplomatic Efforts, Geological Risks, Corporate Security, Military DEI Debates, Middle Eastern Conflicts, and Notre Dame's Resilient Reopening
Global Developments: Ghana's Election, UK's Smuggling Crackdown, Syrian Conflict Escalation, and US Supreme Court's Jurisdictional Case
Global Conflicts and Humanitarian Crises: A Snapshot of Recent International Developments
Saudi Arabia's Innovations in Marine Science, Arts, Film, Technology, Volunteerism, and Medical Education
Iran's Space Launch Fuels Western Concerns Amid Global Political Unrest
×