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President Akbas Announces Bid for Re-election

In the wake of a rally held by the government's main opposition the Turkish Communist Party (TKP), President Akbas made clear that he will seek a second term as president. The communist party rally drew an estimated crowd of 20 thousand people which sent a stark warning to the Akbas and his party that their position is not quite as safe as they'd like to believe. TKP central committee chairwoman and opposition candidate, Isra Ozdemir, is set to face off against Akbas next June. In her speech at the rally, she accused the government of silencing political opposition and 'embracing a culture that will create a breeding ground for fascism'. The president called the accusations a 'bold-faced lie' and added that such language should be disqualifying for any candidate seeking the highest office in the land.

The two are set to face off in June of next year. Other smaller parties have also announced their intentions to field candidates in the election which has generated concerns in both the government and the opposition that rogue third party candidates could syphon votes away from their people and cost them the election.