Turkish Presidential Race Heads to a Runoff

Türkiye’s presidential race is likely headed into a runoff vote, “Illiberal Allies” Poland and Hungary at loggerheads, Germany pledges arms, support for Ukraine during Zelenskyy’s visit to Berlin.

Upcoming on Visegrad Insight:

• Wojciech Przybylski analyses the disintegrating relationship between Hungary and Poland.
• Adam Jasser interviews Humeyra Pamuk on Türkiye’s election result.

EU/REGIONAL

• Türkiye is poised to see an election run-off after neither of the two presidential candidates is projected to secure over 50 per cent majority of votes. The tight battle will be closely watched given the country’s increased role as an energy transit country and the future orientation of its foreign policies.   
• Germany made the strongest pledge yet to support Ukraine in its struggle against Russia and in seeking EU membership during President Zelenskyy’s visit to Berlin at the weekend. A political joint declaration was accompanied by a new $3 bln  arms package for Kyiv. Ukrainian officials said they were satisfied that “Germany was taking the lead”. German Chancellor Scholz said Ukraine could not accept peace if it meant ceding territory or establishing a “frozen conflict”.
• One-time “illiberal allies” in the EU. The already strained relations between Poland and Hungary suffered a fresh blow when the newly appointed head of Hungary’s armed forces, Lieutenant General Gabor Borondi, called Germany’s attack on Poland in 1939 a “local conflict” which, if handled diplomatically, would not have spilt into a world war. Poland’s ambassador to Budapest called the remarks an “unacceptable distortion of history.” Russia’s aggression on Ukraine had shaken the ideological alliance between the Polish and Hungarian ruling nationalists.
• Interestingly, both countries featured prominently in a report from European Union lawmakers into the use of Pegasus to spy on political opponents and journalists.
• Poland and Turkey remain a magnet for FDIs, according to a study by EY. They saw a 23 and 22 per cent increase in FDI projects in 2022, respectively, placing them among the top 10 destinations in Europe. France, the UK and Germany attract the most FDIs.
• Swiss neutrality amended. Military deliveries to Ukraine were approved by the Swiss parliament in a motion involving amending the War Material Act.

BREAKING: Switzerland green lights ammunition supply to Ukraine