Ankara [Turkey], May 16:Sinan Ogan, Turkey's secular nationalist presidential contender who finished third in the election held at the weekend, told DPA he wants firm assurances on a range of issues before he will endorse a candidate in the run-off vote on May 28.
"We have some preconditions," Ogan said at his Ankara office, singling out fighting terrorism and the return of Syrian and other refugees.
He said constitutional protections to ensure Turkey's secular principles were also necessary to obtain the support of his Ata Alliance - named after the republic's founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Ogan said he will ask whoever he endorses to sign and share details of an agreement in a "transparent protocol" with the public.
Incumbent President RecepTayyip Erdogan, who has been in power for two decades, received 49.51% of the vote in Sunday's election, according to the latest official figures.
Erdogan's main rival, Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, came in at 44.88% and will need Ogan's support in the run-off if he hopes to achieve the more than 50% needed to become the next president.
Presidential contender Ogan, who received 5.17% according to the latest figures, said both rival camps reached out to congratulate him but he has yet to start serious negotiations. He expects to make a final decision by as early as this coming weekend "to avoid uncertainty."
"Had Sinan Ogan not been in the race, Erdogan would be making his balcony speech last night," Ogan said of his pivotal role. Ogan said he is "very comfortable" with playing the role of kingmaker and that he was confident he will be able to get the 2.8 million people who voted for him to support the candidate he endorses. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune