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Divisive Erdogan favorite in Turkey president vote

By Elena Becatoros
Published August 8, 2014 10:17am ET
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Divisive Erdogan favorite in Turkey president vote
In this Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014 photo, Turkish Prime Minister and presidential candidate Recep Tayyip Erdogan salutes as addresses a business meeting in Ankara, Turkey. Turkey holds its first direct presidential elections on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014, when voters will be tasked with choosing between three candidates for the post, which until now has been largely ceremonial. The 60-year-old Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics for the past decade, is widely expected to win, possibly even in the first round. A gifted public orator who grew up in a tough neighborhood of Istanbul, Erdogan leads the Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party, or AKP, whose support base is the Turkish heartland. (AP Photo) | AP

ISTANBUL (AP) — For the first time in its history, Turkey is directly electing its president on Sunday in a contest considered a turning point for the country of 76 million people — with its prime minister the strong favorite for a job he has pledged to transform from a symbolic role into one of real power.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s dominant politician over the last decade, is seen by many as aiming to solidify his grip on power after serving three consecutive terms as prime minister at the head of his Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party. An absolute majority is needed to avoid a runoff on Aug. 24.

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