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Reflections from our correspondents on the ground in the Turkish capital.
ISTANBUL BLOG: Opposition election surveillance official leaves post ahead of final vote
May 16, 2023
Reports indicate Erdogan challenger Kilicdaroglu wants tighter operation against ballot box fraud.
ISTANBUL BLOG: Kilicdaroglu failed to dethrone Erdogan because for him 50% needed to equal 60%
May 15, 2023
In Turkish elections there is a thievery margin. Everybody knows it.
ISTANBUL BLOG: Erdogan hit with SHOCK video exposé, but please calm down
May 9, 2023
In election week, associate of president says winner of airport rights paid $1bn bribe. Claims will simply bounce off those intent on voting for strongman.
ISTANBUL BLOG: No monetary messin’ from ailing Erdogan ahead of his video date with Putin
April 27, 2023
So invested is Russia’s leader in his strongman pal’s re-election bid that he agreed to a virtual appearance simply to celebrate the arrival of some nuclear fuel.
ISTANBUL BLOG: Turkey’s central bank collecting physical dollars at Grand Bazaar
April 13, 2023
Amid country’s FX crunch and crumbling of the lira, national lender said to turn up every day with “wheeled anchor chests” to buy around $260mn at expensive rates.
