The Presidential elections in Turkey (May 14) could have a pivotal role in the country\u2019s future financial condition. They could also affect the local cryptocurrency industry since the two leading candidates \u2013 Recep Erdogan (the current political leader) and Kemal Kilicdaroglu \u2013 share entirely different views.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The former declared \u201cwar\u201d on bitcoin in 2021 and supported the central bank\u2019s efforts to launch digital lira. Kilicdaroglu stands on the opposite corner as a proponent of cryptocurrencies and Web3.<\/span><\/p>\n The upcoming presidential elections in Turkey this weekend seem to be the most contested in over a decade, with Erdogan facing a strong rival \u2013 Kilicdaroglu.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The current president has been in charge since 2014 and has received huge criticism for some of his political decisions. For one, he took the country to a conservative path, distancing it from the Western world and keeping strong ties with Russia (even though Turkey is part of NATO).<\/span><\/p>\n The shaking economic condition of the transcontinental nation during his reign could be another point used by the opposition. The inflation rate in Turkey is one of the highest in the world, while its official currency \u2013 the Turkish lira (TRY) \u2013 recently plunged to a record low against the US dollar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Kilicdaroglu\u2019s political view appears to be entirely different than Erdogan\u2019s. He vowed to bring freedom and democracy to Turkey, saying that\u2019s what the youth wants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe want free media and complete judicial independence. Erdogan does not think that way. He wants to be more authoritarian. The difference between us and Erdogan is the difference between black and white,\u201d he told the BBC.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Besides standing as the preferred choice for the younger generations, the 74-year-old politician could win solid support from the Kurdish minority since the Peoples\u2019 Democratic Party (HDP) would rather see him as president than Erdogan. Approximately 15% of Turkey\u2019s voters have Kurdish origin.<\/span><\/p>\n According to a recent poll, Kilicdaroglu could secure around 49% of the vote on May 14, while Erdogan could collect 43%. Still, a candidate needs more than 50% to be elected, meaning a runoff could be on the cards.<\/span><\/p>\n Another major difference between Erdogan and his rival is their stance on cryptocurrencies. In the following lines, we will observe how the results of the elections could affect the domestic digital asset sector.<\/span><\/p>\n President Recep Erdogan\u00a0<\/span>stated<\/span>\u00a0in September 2021 that the government is at war with cryptocurrencies and has \u201cabsolutely no intention of embracing\u201d them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe will not give them such a premium, nor will we. Because we will continue on the road with our money, which is our main identity in this matter,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nA Real Chance for a Change<\/span><\/h2>\n
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War on BTC for Five More Years<\/span><\/h2>\n
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![\"Recep](\"https:\/\/cryptopotato.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Erdogan.webp\")
![\"Kemal](\"https:\/\/cryptopotato.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Kilicdaroglu.webp\")