A breath before the Turkish polls and a hand-to-hand battle between Tayyip Erdogan and Kemal Kilindaroglu, Yasar Yakis, Turkey’s former Foreign Minister under Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and one of the founding members of the ruling AKP, speaks exclusively to SKAI about the the following day in Turkey after the elections, which are characterized by the international media as the most important worldwide for 2023 but also as a clash of two political visions.

A diplomat with deep knowledge – he has been, among other things, Turkey’s permanent representative to the United Nations -, the Yasar Yakis explains to Korina Georgiou why Turkey’s march towards the European chariot will be delayed and what is the profile of Tayyip Erdogan’s voters.

Question: Most international media are talking about the most important elections of 2023, a historical turning point. Do you agree and what do you think makes this election battle special?

Yasar Yakis: The importance of these elections lies in the fact that Erdogan’s party has been in power for more than 20 years and therefore there is an expectation in Turkish public opinion that this government will change and that there will be a transition of power to another party. Of course, Erdoğan’s party made dozens of mistakes, mainly in foreign policy, but mainly in limiting fundamental rights and freedoms. I believe that at least a part of Turkish public opinion is ready for a change.

KG: According to the latest polls, the united opposition poses an unprecedented challenge to Erdogan’s rule. What do you think will happen if Erdogan loses the election?

G. Yakis: Erdogan will do everything possible to stay in power. If there is a very small difference, then of course he will try his best to change the course of events.

KG: Many say that it is not just two leaders or two parties facing each other in these elections, but two visions. What are the key issues that will determine the outcome, in your opinion, and do you foresee a European future for Turkey after the election? And under what conditions?

G. Yakis: Basically, Turkey’s accession to the European Union is not something that will happen tomorrow. Turkey can live without and with the European Union. If he joins her, so much the better. But, if not, Turkey should take advantage of the accession process in order to put more order inside.

Will Turkey have a President from the first round in your opinion?

G. Yakis: Perhaps it could, because there is every indication that the whole world has felt the hardships, and as far as intellectuals are concerned, fundamental rights and freedoms have been curtailed to a very great extent. Erdoğan is a nice man and probably many ladies vote with this criterion, but as time goes by, the people are getting poorer and poorer. When you don’t have bread for your children, when you don’t have butter for your children, then of course you turn your back (on Erdogan).