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Jaishankar meets French FM Colonna

Both of them also exchanged views on Indo-Pacific and G20….reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (local time) met his French counterpart Catherine Colonna who shared her enthusiasm for making Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi’s visit to the Bastille Day a success.

Both of them also exchanged views on Indo-Pacific and G20. “Glad to meet French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. Share her enthusiasm for making PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the Bastille Day a success. Exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific and G20,” tweeted Jaishankar.

On the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend this year’s Bastille Day Parade as Guest of Honour on July 14 in Paris this year.

PM Modi was invited by French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Parade in Paris.

According to an official statement, an Indian armed forces contingent will participate in the Parade alongside their French counterparts.

Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Sweden to participate in the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial. He is also expected to attend the inaugural session of the India Trilateral Forum involving India, Europe, and the US, with his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billstrom. In addition, Jaishankar will discuss India-EU relations during his visit as Sweden currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The EAM also met with his counterparts of Latvia, Austria, Lithuania, Belgium, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria on the sidelines of the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EIPMF).

Jaishankar met Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics and discussed strengthening bilateral ties amid the Ukraine conflict.

“Good meeting with FM @edgarsrinkevics of Latvia on EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial sidelines. Spoke about strengthening our bilateral relationship and on repercussions of Ukraine conflict. Also discussed our multilateral cooperation,” tweeted Jaishankar.

He also met Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and signed agreements in Mobility and Migration.

“Warm and productive discussions with my friend FM @a_schallenberg of Austria. Signed agreements in Mobility and Migration. Discussed global issues, especially Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific,” he tweeted.

With Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, Jaishankar discussed Europe’s perspectives of the world from India’s vantage points.

“A good conversation on bilateral cooperation and Indo-Pacific with FM @GLandsbergis of Lithuania. Also discussed Europe’s perspectives of the world from our vantage points. Agreed to stay in touch,” tweeted Jaishankar.

Meanwhile, in his first meeting with Belgium’s Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, Jaishankar agreed to take bilateral relationships and multilateral cooperation forward.

“A cordial first meeting with FM @hadjalahbib of Belgium. Agreed to work together to take our bilateral relationship and multilateral cooperation forward,” tweeted Jaishankar.

He also met Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and discussed about mobility and tourism.

“Great to meet FM of Cyprus @ckombos after his appointment. Noted the potential for greater engagement. Spoke about mobility and tourism. Also discussed our multilateral collaboration,” tweeted Jaishankar.

Jaishankar thanked his Romanian counterpart, Bogdan Aurescu, for the facilitation of Operation Ganga, an evacuation mission to bring back all the Indian nationals who were stranded in Ukraine.

“Caught up with Romanian colleague FM @BogdanAurescu on EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial sidelines. Thanked him for #OperationGanga facilitation. Discussed defense and energy collaboration. Benefited from his perspectives of the region,” tweeted Jaishankar.

He also exchanged views with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov.

“Exchanged views on the region and its global implications with FM Ivan Kondov of Bulgaria. Discussed our growing bilateral and multilateral ties,” tweeted Jaishankar. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Jaishankar terms unsustainable debts as common concern for IOR

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France to send more tanks to aid Ukraine’s war efforts

This came right after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew into France late on Sunday…reports Asian Lite News

France has promised to deliver many additional light tanks and armoured vehicles to Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia and also to train Ukrainian forces how to operate them, Al Jazeera reported.

This came right after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew into France late on Sunday and joined French President Emmanuel Macron for a working dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
“In the coming weeks, France will train and equip several battalions with tens of armoured vehicles and light tanks including AMX-10RC,” the two leaders announced following almost three hours of talks in a joint statement on Monday, according to Al Jazeera.

The trip to Paris was part of Zelenskyy’s weekend-long whirlwind tour of several major European allies, ahead of an expected major Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russia.

Zelenskyy stated in Berlin on Sunday that Kyiv and its allies might make a Russian defeat “irreversible” as early as this year after getting a new USD3 billion military package from Germany, according to Al Jazeera.

In Paris, Macron reiterated that France will continue to support Ukraine with political, monetary, humanitarian, and military aid for as long as it is required.

Apparently, French AMX-10RCs vehicles can move quickly across the battlefield and switch positions due to their fast speed and mobility. (ANI)

ALSO READ: France exposes West’s disunity over anti-China deterrence

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12 countries raise concerns about EU deal on Ukrainian grain

A group of 12 European Union countries, including Germany and France, have raised “serious concerns” about a recent deal on the transit of tariff-free Ukrainian grain…reports Asian Lite News

The temporary measures under the EU deal relate to the trade of four Ukrainian products: wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seed.

A group of 12 European Union countries, including Germany and France, have raised “serious concerns” about a recent deal on the transit of tariff-free Ukrainian grain, reigniting a political controversy that Brussels had hoped was under control.

The deal was struck last month after Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria complained that an influx of Ukrainian cereals was fostering unfair competition and depressing prices for local farmers.

Talks with the European Commission led to a temporary arrangement under which four Ukrainian products – wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seed – are allowed transit through the five Eastern countries but without being stored in their territory or being purchased for domestic consumption.

This solution is now being challenged by a larger group of member states, who believe the deal is at odds with the bloc’s commercial rules, lacks transparency and requires further consultations. The governments also enquire about the potential impact the deal might have on markets beyond the East.

The letter is signed by the agriculture ministers of Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Slovenia, and is dated 10 May.

“At the very least, clarification is needed as to how these proposals and measures relate to the rules and operation of the internal market and the Union’s commercial policy, in particular with regards to the EU’s obligations towards Ukraine stemming from the Association Agreement,” the letter continues.

Reacting to the criticism, a European Commission spokesperson confirmed on Friday the executive had received the letter and planned to respond “in due course.”

“We felt there were very clear arguments to act in order to provide support to the farmers that were affected by this bottleneck,” the spokesperson said, defending the temporary deal.

“It is important for us that the flow of agricultural products from Ukraine continues. It’s very important for us to ensure that Ukraine can continue to export its grains.”

On the question of transparency, the spokesperson said all 27 member states had been informed about the grain deal before its official adoption.

The deal struck late last month between the European Commission and the five member states in question — Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria — came after four of them had imposed unilateral bans on a wide import of Ukrainian cereals and other foodstuffs.

They argued the influx of goods, which are being exempted from tariffs as part of the EU’s support to the war-torn nation, were distorting their domestic markets, filling up warehouses and bringing down prices for local farmers – a key demographic in elections.

The Commission, which was caught off guard by the bans, initially decried the move as “not acceptable” and underlined the so-called “solidarity lanes” were essential to provide an alternative avenue for Ukrainian grain to reach developing countries, as the traditional Black Sea route remains under the tight control of Russian forces.

Brussels then launched negotiations to design an EU-wide solution that could replace the uncoordinated national responses and offer some degree of certainty to Ukrainian businesses.

After almost two weeks of talks, the parties struck a temporary deal on four Ukrainian products considered to have the most disruptive effect: wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seed.

Under the agreed terms, the selected products are allowed transit through the five Eastern European countries but cannot be stored in their territory or purchased for domestic consumption. Instead, they are being sent directly to other member states or shipped around the world.

In essence, the solution constitutes a legalised ban but with a more targeted scope than the ones previously imposed on Ukrainian exports.

The deal also comes with a €100-million support package for affected farmers in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, and a promise to closely monitor the market trends caused by other types of agri-food products.

“It is imperative that the criteria used to propose the amount of the €100 million package, as those used to allocate it among member states, are explained as soon as possible,” the joint letter says.

ALSO READ: UK economy grows by 0.1% in the first quarter

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Germany announces €2.7 bn in new military aid to Ukraine

The government in Berlin said this morning it was preparing a new €2.7 billion military aid package for Ukraine…reports Asian Lite News

Germany has today announced a major new consignment of military aid to Ukraine, boosting its contribution after months of pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to speed up the delivery of vital battlefield hardware.

The government in Berlin said this morning it was preparing a new €2.7 billion military aid package for Ukraine, including the delivery of many tanks, armour and air defence systems.

“We all want a rapid end to this atrocious war by Russia against the Ukrainian people,” German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement. “That is why Germany will provide all the help it can, for as long as necessary.”

The deliveries will include 30 additional Leopard-1 A5 tanks, 20 new Marder armoured vehicles and more than 100 other smaller armoured vehicles, as well as 200 surveillance drones, four new Iris-T air defence systems and their launch platforms, numerous missiles for air defence, 18 Howitzer guns, and ammunition.

Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhaïlo Podoliak celebrated the announcement, tweeting that along with other recent contributions from western governments, the German consignment”directly indicates that the war would be brought to the right end; the Russian Federation is bound to lose and sit on the bench of historical shame; the Russian Federation no longer frightens anyone; [and] only providing weapons to Ukraine would allow peace to return to predictable and stable development.”

Western countries have angered Moscow in recent days by announcing enhanced military aid to Ukraine as the country lays the groundwork for a counteroffensive against Russian forces.

When the UK announced it will be supplying Ukraine with long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles, the Kremlin condemned it as an “extremely hostile” measure, accusing London of seeking a “serious escalation” of the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is currently visiting Rome for talks with Italian leaders as well as Pope Francis, who is reportedly embarked on a diplomatic effort to strike some sort of peace agreement.

Media reports say Zelenskyy is expected to travel to Berlin on Sunday to receive the European Charlemagne Prize.

ALSI READ: UK economy grows by 0.1% in the first quarter

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Sweden’s Loreen wins Eurovision Song Contest

Käärijä of Finland took second place with the industrial metal-meets-hyperpop banger “Cha Cha Cha.”…reports Asian Lite News

Swedish singer Loreen was named the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest for her pop ballad “Tattoo,” beating out 25 other nations at the event’s final on Saturday night.

It’s her second time winning over the hearts of the jury and public, having first won for Sweden in 2012.

The eclectic, extravagant event honored war-torn Ukraine’s spirit of resiliency as it stuck to the 2023 contest’s theme, “united by music,” held at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England. Traditionally, the host country is the winner of the previous year’s event. But since last year’s winner, Ukraine, is in the middle of a war, 2022 runner-up Britain is hosting this year’s event on its behalf.

Loreen, sandwiched between illuminated platforms, reeled on stage as she belted the lyrics to her anthem — “You’re stuck on me like a tattoo-hoo-hoo.” The performance tended toward a more classic pop pick for a contest that has in recent years favored the bombastic and fantastical act.

Käärijä of Finland took second place with the industrial metal-meets-hyperpop banger “Cha Cha Cha.” The song emerged as NPR’s pop culture critic Glen Weldon’s top pick. The “catchy-as-hell bop,” Weldon wrote, “exists to get you up and moving; imagine a Crossfit instructor shouting at you in Finnish.”

Another standout act, at least according to the American public, came from Austria, ending in 15th place. “Who the Hell is Edgar?” by Teya & Salena (a song about being possessed by the ghost of gothic horror writer Edgar Allen Poe, of course) started trending on Twitter in the U.S. shortly after the duo took the stage.

Representing Croatia, Let 3 performed “Mama ŠČ!,” a hallucinogenic trip of a stage production bearing an anti-war message, not so thinly veiled with mustaches, drag and rockets — think deranged Sgt. Pepper.

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Zelensky in Rome

Japanese student dresses like Zelensky for graduation ceremony.(photo:Instagram)

In the Vatican, Pope Francis and Zelensky exchanged gifts and discussed the situation in Ukraine….reports Asian Lite News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Rome, meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Pope Francis in the Vatican.

Meloni told a joint press conference on Saturday after bilateral talks with Zelensky that Italy will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine.

Zelensky at the joint press conference thanked Italy for its support since the start of the Ukraine crisis, Xinhua news agency reported.

In the Vatican, Pope Francis and Zelensky exchanged gifts and discussed the situation in Ukraine.

ALSO READ: Russia fumes as UK gives long-range missiles to Ukraine

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Pentagon withholding evidence in Russia war crimes case

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin attends a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel on April 11, 2021. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua/IANS)

Democrat Dick Durbin said he had been told by the international court’s chief prosecutor that the US Defense Department was refusing to cooperate in the case…reports Asian Lite News

United States senators have grilled the head of the Pentagon for what they called a failure to cooperate with an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation of Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

Speaking during a Senate committee hearing on Thursday, Democrat Dick Durbin said he had been told by the international court’s chief prosecutor that the US Defense Department was refusing to cooperate in the case, which it launched in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. In March, the court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Durbin said the court’s top prosecutor, Karim Khan, told him that, unlike the Pentagon, the US State Department and Justice Department were cooperating with the investigation.

“Why are you reluctant to share the evidence that we have gathered in the United States through the Department of Defense for those who are holding [Russian President] Vladimir Putin accountable for his war crimes?” Durbin asked Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin.

In a glancing response, Austin said the Pentagon “firmly supports the goal of holding Russia accountable for its violations in Ukraine”. But he added, “I will always prioritise the protection of US military personnel in anything that we do.”

The response underscores the US’s long-held wariness towards the ICC. The government has previously voiced concerns that joining or supporting the court could open the door to further prosecutions of US military personnel or political leaders, or appear to legitimise ICC investigations of US personnel abroad.

The court became operational in 2002, four years after 120 countries ratified its legal basis, the Rome Statute.

Under the statute, the court has jurisdiction to prosecute international crimes — including crimes against humanity, war crimes, crimes of aggression and genocide — if they are committed in the territory or by a national of a party to the treaty, if that party is “unable” or “unwilling” to do so.

Still, various US administrations have taken vastly different approaches to the court, ranging from reluctantly supportive to openly antagonistic.

For his part, President Joe Biden has signalled more cooperation under his administration, including by lifting sanctions that his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, imposed on ICC officials.

In March, Biden also called the court’s arrest warrant for Putin “justified”. That came after Congress last year passed legislation that broadened Washington’s ability to share evidence with the ICC.

When Durbin pushed Austin on why the Defense Department was taking a different approach than the Justice and State Departments, the Pentagon leader demurred.

“Why we would hold back evidence against this war criminal Vladimir Putin and the terrible things he’s doing, I don’t understand at all,” said Durbin. “You must have a compelling reason not to cooperate, what is it?”

Austin responded: “Again I will always prioritise protection of our military personnel. That’s my concern.”

Senator Lindsay Graham, a Republican, added that prosecuting Putin and the Russians responsible for war crimes would have a US national security benefit.

“Mr Khan says we have a lot of valuable information that could accelerate his prosecution not only of Putin but of others,” Graham said.

At a hearing last month, Graham praised the Justice Department for working with its Ukrainian counterpart to help pursue war crimes prosecutions against Russia and bashed the Defense Department for hindering such efforts. At the time, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco declined to comment on internal discussions.

A State Department spokesperson has said the US supports “a range of international investigations and inquiries into war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine”, including those conducted by the ICC’s prosecutor.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise visit to The Hague last week, calling for a new international tribunal to hold Putin accountable for the invasion of Ukraine.

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MBZ, Macron advance strategic ties

The Presidents discussed regional and international developments, with both sides stressing the importance of promoting peace, stability and cooperation between nations….reports Asian Lite News

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron yesterday in Paris. The two leaders discussed the longstanding strategic partnership between the UAE and France, and explored opportunities to further expand bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

The French President welcomed Sheikh Mohamed to the Élysée Palace, expressing his pleasure to meet again in France. The UAE President extended his gratitude to President Macron for the warm reception.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed and the French President affirmed their deep commitment to further strengthening the countries’ historic ties, and discussed ways to enhance collaboration in priority areas, including culture, environment, climate change, space, and renewable energy. Their talks also covered other fields central to both countries’ sustainable development ambitions, including investment, the economy, food security, and advanced technology.

The Presidents discussed regional and international developments, with both sides stressing the importance of promoting peace, stability and cooperation between nations.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and President Macron also talked about the upcoming COP28 climate conference, to be hosted by the UAE later this year. Both leaders reiterated their shared belief in the importance and potential of joint action. They stated that pursuing collaborative measures to confront climate change is an immediate priority for both countries.

The UAE President is accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Special Affairs Advisor at the Presidential Court; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority; and Hend Mana Al Otaiba, the UAE Ambassador to the French Republic.

Ministers hail visit

UAE ministers emphasised the long-standing relations between the UAE and France and their extensive strategic partnerships on various fronts.

Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said that the visit of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to France fits into the framework of the robust relations between the two countries, which are “strengthening and becoming more solid, and exploring new opportunities for cooperation across various sectors with the aim of promoting economic growth and addressing shared challenges.”

“The two countries have been successful in developing aspects of cooperation in various development sectors of mutual interest, including political, economic, commercial, cultural, and educational cooperation,” he continued.

“The visit’s importance stems from the fact that it comes in 2023, a year dedicated to sustainability, and during the run-up to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28), through which the UAE will spare no efforts to mobilise collective efforts to build a sustainable and prosperous world while providing natural resources for all.”

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, said that the UAE and France enjoy strong and distinguished strategic relations based on mutual respect and continuous partnership.” This privileged relation between the two sides provides a fertile ground for continued growth and development that has been evolving steadily since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1971 until now.”

Bin Touq added that the strength of bilateral relations between the two countries is reflected in resilient economic and trade ties, which have been growing stronger over time, explaining that the UAE is home to the greatest number of French businesses operating in the Middle East, estimated at around 600 companies employing over 30,000 people.

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, said that the UAE-French relations are witnessing remarkable development in various vital fields and files of common interest, noting that the UAE-French cooperation is one of the most important pillars of global climate and environmental action efforts.

She underlined the importance of the visit of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to France. “Through the visit, we look forward to more cooperation with France, especially on issues of common interest, including global climate action.”

The minister added that the hosting of the COP21 United Nations Climate Conference in 2015, which led to the Paris Climate Agreement, demonstrated that France is one of the most significant players in the field of climate change.

For his part, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, affirmed that the UAE and France enjoy close trade and investment relations, pointing out that the non-oil trade between the two nations recorded $8 billion in 2022, up 21% on 2021, with a record growth of 49%. % compared to 2020, and an increase of 6% compared to 2019, which confirms the upward trend of trade flows between the two friendly countries over the past years, despite the relative decline in international trade movement during some of these years.

ALSO READ: UAE leads global rankings in energy, water, infra

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Scholz to visit Seoul for bilateral talks

Scholz decided to visit the DMZ to witness the division of the Korean Peninsula firsthand, the official added…reports Asian Lite News

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will visit Seoul on May 21 for a summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Yonhap News Agency reported on Thursday.

Scholz will make the trip after attending a Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima, Japan, on the same day. He will first visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which separates the two Koreas, a senior German official said during a press briefing in Berlin. He will then hold a bilateral meeting with President Yoon and before his return to Germany, he will attend a dinner hosted by President. The German chancellor will be accompanied by his wife, Britta Ernst, the official said.

Seoul’s presidential office noted his visit comes as the two countries celebrate the 140th anniversary of establishing bilateral ties through the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation in November 1883, the Yonhap News Agency report said.

“This visit is expected to serve as a valuable opportunity to enhance economic and security cooperation, and deepen solidarity and collaboration in addressing regional and international issues with Germany, a long-standing friendly country that shares universal values,” Yoon’s office said.

According to the German official, Yoon and Scholz will discuss a wide range of bilateral and international issues during their meeting, including cooperation on energy and climate change, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and Indo-Pacific security policies with a particular focus on China, News Agency Yonhap reported.

Scholz decided to visit the DMZ to witness the division of the Korean Peninsula firsthand, the official added.

As a once-divided country, Germany hopes to share its experience of reunification with South Korea and is interested in learning about Seoul’s efforts to reunify with Pyongyang, the official said.

Scholz will be the first German leader to visit Seoul in 13 years since former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s trip in 2010 to attend a Group of 20 summit, Yonhap reported.

He will also be the first German chancellor to visit Seoul for a bilateral meeting in 30 years since former Chancellor Helmut Kohl’s visit in 1993. (ANI)

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Turkey opposition candidate pulls out of presidential polls

Muharrem Ince, the leader of the centre-left Homeland Party, was one of four contenders running for president in the May 14 election…reports Asian Lite News

Muharrem Ince, the leader of Turkey’s centre-left Homeland Party, has pulled out of the May 14 presidential election, giving a potential boost to incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s main challenger.

A candidate in Turkey’s presidential election announced Thursday that he is withdrawing from the race.

Muharrem Ince, the leader of the centre-left Homeland Party, was one of four contenders running for president in the May 14 election.

The move is likely to bolster President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s main challenger.

Ince had come under intense criticism for splintering the votes of the six-party Nation Alliance, which has united behind the candidacy of main opposition party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, and for possibly forcing the presidential race into a second round.

“I am withdrawing from the race,” Ince told reporters. “I am doing this for my country.”

Several members of Ince’s party had resigned in recent days, concerned that his candidacy would prevent Kılıçdaroğlu from winning against President Erdoğan, in power since 2003.

Ince had polled around 8% of the votes when his candidacy was first announced, but his popularity ratings have since dropped to around 2%, according to opinion surveys.

Ince, however, said the Homeland Party, which he formed in 2021, would still run in the parliamentary elections, and he called for votes for the party “from each household.”

The 58-year-old former physics teacher whose name will still appear on Sunday’s ballot had previously run against Erdoğan in presidential elections in 2018 under the ticket of Kılıçdaroğlu’s main opposition party, CHP.

He had garnered around 30% of the votes but later broke away from the party.

The latest opinion poll made public on Thursday by the renowned Konda Institute credited 74-year-old Kılıçdaroğlu with 49.3% of voting intentions in the first round, against 43.7% for Erdoğan and 2.2% for Ince.

The third candidate still in the running, Sinan Ogan, was credited with 4.8% of the vote.

According to a poll conducted on May 9 and 10 by the Metropoll Institute, nearly 50 per cent of Muharrem Ince’s supporters will shift their vote to Kılıçdaroğlu, compared to less than a quarter in favour of President Erdoğan.

“My appeal still stands. Let’s put aside old grudges,” Kılıçdaroğlu tweeted Thursday, calling on Muharrem Ince to join his coalition.

“His withdrawal is incomprehensible. Honestly, I am sad,” Erdoğan said at a rally in Ankara province.

“Let’s continue (…) What counts is the decision of my people,” added the 69-year-old head of state, who will face his most uncertain election since he took office on Sunday.

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