Is Erdogan a dictator? He faced his strongest opposition in 20 years and still won Turkey's election.
Turkish vote cements rise of the strongmen
Is Erdogan a dictator? He faced his strongest opposition in 20 years and still won Turkey's election.
What's happening?
"It is not just us who won, Turkey won." This is what Recep Tayyip ErdoganThe president of Turkey. said after he won a new term as president of TurkeyOfficially the Republic of Turkiye, a country that lies partly in Europe and partly in Asia at the east of the Mediterranean. on Sunday night.
Thousands celebrated the results on the streets. But others are scared about the future with Erdogan as president.
Erdogan won the second round of voting. He scored 52% of the vote. The man he beat, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, said the result was unfair.
Many expertsSomeone who knows a lot about a particular subject. agree with him. They think that Erdogan has used his power to make democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people. in Turkey weaker. Some worry that he could become a dictatorA ruler who has total power, and has often taken power by force. .
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In many ways, they say, Erdogan is similar to other very powerful leaders, such as China's Xi JinpingThe president of China, who has concentrated power and removed term limits allowing him to serve for life. and Russia's Vladimir PutinRussia's ruler since 2000. He is a strong opponent of the West..
He controls what the media can say, bullies anyone who runs against him and buys friends with power.
But others say that Erdogan is not a dictator. He held an electionA vote in which someone is chosen to represent a group of people. and won.
Some say it does not matter whether or not he is a dictator - he could still be dangerous to democracy. Dictators rule by fear. But there are many leaders worldwide who make themselves popular by encouraging people to hate people of other religions or races. And they give themselves lots of power.
Is Erdogan a dictator?
Yes! Erdogan has given himself a lot of power. No other person stands a chance of beating him in a vote.
No! Turkish people simply think Erdogan is the best person to run the country. They are allowed to vote for whoever they want to - and they want Erdogan.
Keywords
Recep Tayyip Erdogan - The president of Turkey.
Turkey - Officially the Republic of Turkiye, a country that lies partly in Europe and partly in Asia at the east of the Mediterranean.
Experts - Someone who knows a lot about a particular subject.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Dictator - A ruler who has total power, and has often taken power by force.
Xi Jinping - The president of China, who has concentrated power and removed term limits allowing him to serve for life.
Vladimir Putin - Russia's ruler since 2000. He is a strong opponent of the West.
Election - A vote in which someone is chosen to represent a group of people.
Turkish vote cements rise of the strongmen
Glossary
Recep Tayyip Erdogan - The president of Turkey.
Turkey - Officially the Republic of Türkiye, a country that lies partly in Europe and partly in Asia at the east of the Mediterranean.
Experts - Someone who knows a lot about a particular subject.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Dictator - A ruler who has total power, and has often taken power by force.
Xi Jinping - The president of China, who has concentrated power and removed term limits allowing him to serve for life.
Vladimir Putin - Russia’s ruler since 2000. He is a strong opponent of the West.
Election - A vote in which someone is chosen to represent a group of people.