Elections in Türkiye should be free and fair

Today’s parliamentary and presidential elections in Türkiye are decisive, as the country is struggling with rampant inflation and a difficult recovery from February’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament calls on the authorities in Ankara to ensure free and fair elections today, as the possibility for each citizen to cast his or her vote is the foundation of every democracy. This also implies the ability of political actors, civil society and the media to work freely and independently, and the judiciary to have an impartial role.

Our political group regrets that the European Parliament was not invited by Turkish authorities to send any observers. We will monitor any potential irregularities that may be concluded from the election observation missions on the ground throughout the entire electoral process.

MEP Malik Azmani (VVD, The Netherlands), First Vice-President of Renew Europe Group and shadow rapporteur on Türkiye, said:

"Türkiye is facing historic elections. Struck by a devastating earthquake, the Turkish people can count on our continued European solidarity. At the same time, both the EU and Türkiye are facing major challenges such as the Russian war in Ukraine and migration. I believe that together we can make a positive change, but we have to work on it.

The first and foremost priority of the new president should be to seek a new chapter in our EU-Türkiye relations, based on sustained cooperation, not confrontation. We need to be at the core of stability in this unstable world. After the elections of today, Türkiye will need to look for answers to crucial questions, from foreign policy to the economy."