Election: Turkish Far-Right Leader Supports Opposition Candidate Against Erdoğan

Ümit Özdağ, the leader of the far-right Victory Party (ZP), has on Wednesday announced his endorsement of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the head of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the opposition candidate in the upcoming presidential runoff against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The Daily Sabah added that Özdağ's endorsement is based on Kılıçdaroğlu's pledge to send back millions of refugees in Türkiye, aligning with Özdağ's anti-migration stance.

This development comes after Sinan Oğan, the third-placed contender in the first round, endorsed Erdoğan, highlighting the divisive issue of migration in the election campaign.

In the first round of the presidential race, Erdoğan received 49.5% of the votes, falling just short of the majority required for an outright victory.

Kılıçdaroğlu secured 44.9% of the votes, representing the opposition bloc challenging Erdoğan's rule.

Erdoğan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and its allies also retained a majority in the parliament, increasing Erdoğan's chances of re-election.