Thread by @FDD

🔴 LIVE NOW | "Turkey’s Elections: A Contested and Uncertain Outcome"

NOW: Introductory remarks from Elizabeth Robbins, FDD Vice President of Communications

UP NEXT: @SinanCiddi takes the stage with @stevenacook, @heissenstat, & @SibelOktay.

Tune in: fdd.org/events/2023/05…

.@SinanCiddi asks if the results of the #TurkeyElections2023 were expected or unexpected.

@SibelOktay says both.

@SinanCiddi @SibelOktay .@SinanCiddi asks @stevenacook: So, what went wrong?
Expectation management.
#Erdogan is an entrenched authoritarian. He will utilize the state apparatus when and where he needs to. But also... he has a potent message.
"He is the 'great master' for a reason."

.@SinanCiddi: Who has the advantage going into the runoff?

@HEisenstadt: Now, it's even more of an uphill battle. The AKP is no longer throwing around anything about attempted coups, etc.
That rhetoric was a foundation for a potential rejection of the election. They're not like… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

@SinanCiddi @HEisenstadt .@SibelOktay: I think there can be a peaceful transfer of power, but that does not mean that #Erdogan will go down without a fight. It's not going to be an easy path forward for either side.

Something like a January 6 in #Turkey might be in the cards. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

@SinanCiddi @HEisenstadt @SibelOktay Who is better for U.S.-#Turkey relations?

.@HEisenstadt: Says he thinks #Kilicdaroglu will be a better ally to the U.S. — letting Sweden into NATO, not helping Iran evade sanctions, etc.

@stevenacook: Disagrees. Points out that Kilicdaroglu hasn't made any such promises.

@SinanCiddi @HEisenstadt @SibelOktay @stevenacook .@stevenacook: #Kilicdaroglu might have more of a gaze towards the West, and there might be a reset with the U.S. — if there's a Sanders-Omar administration in the White House. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…