The main rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the election set for June 24, Muharrem Ince, held a major campaign rally in the city of Izmir, RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty reported.
Organizers claimed that 2.5 million people turned out on June 21, but that could not be independently confirmed.
Some polls indicate that Erdogan will not get a majority of the votes in the first round, which would force a run-off on July 8.
Earlier, Ince reaffirmed his plans for a dramatic first 100 days in power that would see Turkey’s two year state of emergency lifted within 48 hours and the central bank assured of full independence.
He would press on “mercilessly with the fight against terror groups” and do away with a hugely unpopular ID card system for football supporters known as Passolig.
Critically, Ince also vowed to return a Turkish ambassador to Damascus — which would mark a reconciliation with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad — and ensure the 3.5 million Syrian refugees in Turkey from the civil war go back home.
He pledged to put in place an inclusive cabinet that would include members of all Turkey’s main parties — including Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP). The Guardian reported.
