General election campaign kicks off in TurkeyMarch 18, 2023 - 14:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey’s general election campaign is kicking off on Saturday, March 18. It will last until May 13, which will be "the day of silence", Tass reports. The general election is scheduled for May 14. If the presidential election requires a runoff, it will be held on May 28. According to the Turkish election authority's decision, the nomination of presidential candidates will take place on March 19-23. The candidates will be able to launch their election campaigns after a candidate list is published on March 31, the TRT TV channel reported on Saturday. Political parties and alliances taking part in the election are expected to submit their candidate lists to the election authority by the end of day on March 24. On March 10, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree on holding the election, which was initially set for June 18. Erdogan will be the presidential candidate for the ruling People's Alliance, and Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the Republican People's Party, is going to be his main challenger. There will also be other candidates whose chances of winning appear slim, according to experts. A presidential candidate needs to gain more than 50% of the vote to win in the first round. If no candidate passes the 50% threshold, a run-off is held between the top two contenders. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |