Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) face the biggest political challenge. Elections are due as early as this Sunday, and polls suggest the united opposition could end his twenty-year rule. The Turkish opposition accuses Russia of trying to influence Sunday's election to keep Erdogan as president, as several polls show him on the verge of losing power.

Writes about it The Daily Beast.

While Erdogan's ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin have long been alarming, the sexual video scandal is the last straw that could cost Erdogan a victory.

Thus, Russia tried to interfere in the presidential election in Turkey, the opposition candidate for the main post of state said. Kemal Kilicdaroglu assures that he has evidence that the aggressor country is behind the creation of one of the deepfakes – a fake image or video – and calls on Moscow, if it wants to maintain friendship with Ankara, not to interfere in Turkey's internal affairs. It was deepfake that recently cost the ratings of another candidate from the Turkish opposition – his head was placed on the face of a actor. After that, Muharrem Ince announced the withdrawal of the candidacy

Shortly thereafter, Turkish opposition presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu accused Russia of spreading deepfakes.

"Down with the Turkish state," he wrote on Twitter.

Kilicdaroglu told Reuters he had concrete evidence to back up his claim, but the Kremlin denied his allegations.

A member of parliament from the second largest party in the coalition, Kilicdaroglu, said Moscow had "helped" Erdogan in his attempts. to stay in power.

Turkey's declining economy is seen as the main reason Erdogan may no longer lead the country, as huge inflation means citizens are "flooded" with soaring prices for everything from onions to gas bills.

"The Russians, they put all the eggs in Erdogan's basket, all the eggs. Now, after the election results, they will face reality," the Turkish opposition said.

A person who has been in close contact with the Turkish government said the Russian president wants Erdogan to win because then Putin would face less criticism if there was a president on the world stage with a similar leadership style and political preferences, such as a lack of respect for press freedom.

"He [Putin] wants more people like this so that he does not stand out. If they're all bad guys, they don't stand out anymore... They are similar and survive together."

Besides, Russia's easing of its financial demands on Turkey was a big impetus for Erdogan.

We will remind, Erdogan called "drunkard" his main rival in the elections.

Read also:

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  • Turkish presidential candidate threatens Russia: 'Keep your hands away'
  • Russians interfered in elections in Turkey: stoop to fake