What is unthinkable elsewhere is the reality in Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan handed out banknotes in front of his polling station after casting his vote in presidential elections on Sunday.
Surrounded by supporters, Erdogan took a 200 lire (about ten euros) note from his pocket and distributed the money to those around him – mainly children. Videos of the scenes have been widely shared online (see below).
charge of vote buying
On social media, many were outraged by the appearance of the Turkish head of state directly in front of the polling station. He was accused of trying to buy votes in this way. Others countered that it is traditional for the president to give money to children.
In Sunday’s second round of elections and in the vote before that, allegations were made that supporters of Erdogan and members of the ruling AKP party sought to rig the election. In general, the election campaign was perceived as unfair, partly because of the government’s media dominance.
Source: Krone
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