Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan began addressing Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), as “Mr. Kemal” (Bay Kemal). By using this condescending tone, he was aiming to evoke an alienating effect on his constituency. The term “Mr.” or “Bay” was also a reference to honorifics introduced during the founding years
Two noticeable events took place over the weekend in Türkiye, President Tayyip Erdoğan held an “opening ceremony” slash “rally” in ruling AKP’s stronghold city Kayseri and main opposition CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu held public meetings in AKP’s another stronghold city Balıkesir. What was noteworthy was not the events, but the to crowd they spoke to