Sinan Ogan's supporters could now sweep one of the far-right candidate's rivals to power in Turkey. Reuters
Sinan Ogan's supporters could now sweep one of the far-right candidate's rivals to power in Turkey. Reuters
Sinan Ogan's supporters could now sweep one of the far-right candidate's rivals to power in Turkey. Reuters
Sinan Ogan's supporters could now sweep one of the far-right candidate's rivals to power in Turkey. Reuters

MENA

Who is Sinan Ogan, the far-right 'kingmaker' in Turkey's election?

Nationalist candidate won 5% of the vote in first round, which could be crucial in run-offs

Nada AlTaher
Nada AlTaher

May 16, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Ultra-nationalist candidate Sinan Ogan may be Turkey's “kingmaker” despite placing third in presidential elections, in which Recep Tayyip Erdogan gained a narrow lead over rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Mr Ogan captured a surprising 5 per cent of the vote.

Mr Erdogan and Mr Kilicdaroglu will contest a run-off vote on May 28.

But who is Mr Ogan and what does he want? Here is what we know so far.

Who is Sinan Ogan?

Born to an Azerbaijani family in the small Turkish town of Melekli in 1967, Mr Ogan is the son of a farmer and the youngest in his family.

He completed his primary and secondary school education in the city of Igdir before studying business administration at Marmara University. He earned a master's degree in financial law in 1992.

Read more

Turkey election 2023: Polls and what’s at stake as Kilicdaroglu challenges Erdogan

In 2009, he was awarded a doctorate in international relations and political science by Moscow State University of International Relations.

During his youth, he was heavily active in politics, organising rallies and events to protest against the Soviets' massacre of civilians in Azerbaijan's capital Baku on January 20, 1990, now commemorated as Black January.

In 2011, he became a member of parliament after the Nationalist Movement Party won in local elections.

What party does he belong to?

Today, Mr Ogan represents nationalist, anti-refugee ideals, often claiming that Syrian refugees represent a national security threat to Turkey.

He is a member of the four-party right-wing Ancestral Alliance, which was established in March this year.

What is Ogan's role in Turkey's election?

In an interview with Reuters, Mr Ogan said he would back Mr Kilicdaroglu in run-offs if the second-placed candidate ruled out concessions to the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) pro-Kurdish party.

The left-wing HDP is accused of supporting Kurdish militias, a claim it rejects.

Turkey considers the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, to be a terrorist group.

Mr Ogan has said he would not back any candidate “who doesn’t keep a distance with the terror organisation”.

The 2.8 million people who voted for Mr Ogan in the first round of elections could be crucial to the winning candidate in the run-offs.

Turkey's presidential election voting — in pictures

People walk under posters showing Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara. The country is holding its first presidential run-off election after neither candidate earned more than 50 per cent of the vote in the May 14 election. Getty
People walk under posters showing Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara. The country is holding its first presidential run-off election after neither candidate earned more than 50 per cent of the vote in the May 14 election. Getty
A couple walk under a poster of Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, the day after the general election, in Ankara. EPA
A couple walk under a poster of Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, the day after the general election, in Ankara. EPA
People sit on a bench by posters showing Mr Kilicdaroglu in Ankara. Getty
People sit on a bench by posters showing Mr Kilicdaroglu in Ankara. Getty
The bustling Taksim area of Istanbul. Turkey will hold its first presidential run-off election after neither candidate earned more than 50 per cent of the vote this week. Getty
The bustling Taksim area of Istanbul. Turkey will hold its first presidential run-off election after neither candidate earned more than 50 per cent of the vote this week. Getty
People eat ice cream in Istanbul as the country prepares for an election run-off later this month. Getty
People eat ice cream in Istanbul as the country prepares for an election run-off later this month. Getty
People stand in front of the Guven Monument in Ankara. Getty
People stand in front of the Guven Monument in Ankara. Getty
The second round of voting will be held on May 28. Getty
The second round of voting will be held on May 28. Getty
A passenger reads a newspaper on a ferry across the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Bloomberg
A passenger reads a newspaper on a ferry across the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Bloomberg
Politics dominates the headlines in Istanbul on the day after the presidential elections. AP
Politics dominates the headlines in Istanbul on the day after the presidential elections. AP
A billboard featuring presidential candidate Mr Kilicdaroglu in Istanbul. AP
A billboard featuring presidential candidate Mr Kilicdaroglu in Istanbul. AP
A run-off for the presidency was expected to lead to volatility for the Turkish lira. AP
A run-off for the presidency was expected to lead to volatility for the Turkish lira. AP
Supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gather at the AK Party's headquarters in Istanbul on election night. Getty
Supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gather at the AK Party's headquarters in Istanbul on election night. Getty
Mr Erdogan, accompanied by his wife Emine, addresses supporters in Ankara. Photo: Turkish Presidential Press Office
Mr Erdogan, accompanied by his wife Emine, addresses supporters in Ankara. Photo: Turkish Presidential Press Office
Election officials count ballots in Diyarbakir after polls closed in Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections. AFP
Election officials count ballots in Diyarbakir after polls closed in Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections. AFP
Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, speaks to the media in Ankara. EPA
Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, speaks to the media in Ankara. EPA
Mr Erdogan's supporters wave flags outside the AK Party's headquarters in Ankara. Reuters
Mr Erdogan's supporters wave flags outside the AK Party's headquarters in Ankara. Reuters
Mr Erdogan casts his vote in Istanbul on Sunday. Getty
Mr Erdogan casts his vote in Istanbul on Sunday. Getty
Mr Kilicdaroglu votes in Ankara. Getty
Mr Kilicdaroglu votes in Ankara. Getty
People wait for Mr Erdogan outside a polling station in Istanbul. Reuters
People wait for Mr Erdogan outside a polling station in Istanbul. Reuters
A man holds a ballot at a polling station in Hatay. Reuters
A man holds a ballot at a polling station in Hatay. Reuters
A ballot paper featuring candidates for Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections. Reuters
A ballot paper featuring candidates for Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections. Reuters
Voting began in Turkey's presidential election on Sunday morning. Reuters
Voting began in Turkey's presidential election on Sunday morning. Reuters
A voter casts a ballot at a polling station in Hatay. Reuters
A voter casts a ballot at a polling station in Hatay. Reuters
Hatay is one of the Turkish regions that were worst-affected by February's earthquake. Reuters
Hatay is one of the Turkish regions that were worst-affected by February's earthquake. Reuters
Voters take a closer look at the candidates on the ballot, in Ankara. Getty
Voters take a closer look at the candidates on the ballot, in Ankara. Getty
A ballot paper with Mr Erdogan, Muharrem Ince, Mr Kilicdaroglu and Sinan Ogan. Getty
A ballot paper with Mr Erdogan, Muharrem Ince, Mr Kilicdaroglu and Sinan Ogan. Getty
Voters queue outside a polling station in Istanbul. Reuters
Voters queue outside a polling station in Istanbul. Reuters
Bags containing blank ballots are stored at a temporary polling station in the courtyard of a quake-damaged school in Hatay. Reuters
Bags containing blank ballots are stored at a temporary polling station in the courtyard of a quake-damaged school in Hatay. Reuters
An election worker prepares a temporary polling station in Hatay. Reuters
An election worker prepares a temporary polling station in Hatay. Reuters
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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The Bio

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
On Women's Day
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5pm: Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Tahoonah, Richard Mullen (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,400m | Winner: Ajwad, Gerald Avranche, Rashed Bouresly

6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: Duc De Faust, Szczepan Mazur, Younis Al Kalbani

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m | Winner: Shareef KB, Fabrice Veron, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,500m | Winner: Bainoona, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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Profile

Company: Justmop.com

Date started: December 2015

Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan

Sector: Technology and home services

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai

Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month

Funding:  The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups. 

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

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Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The most expensive investment mistake you will ever make

When is the best time to start saving in a pension? The answer is simple – at the earliest possible moment. The first pound, euro, dollar or dirham you invest is the most valuable, as it has so much longer to grow in value. If you start in your twenties, it could be invested for 40 years or more, which means you have decades for compound interest to work its magic.

“You get growth upon growth upon growth, followed by more growth. The earlier you start the process, the more it will all roll up,” says Chris Davies, chartered financial planner at The Fry Group in Dubai.

This table shows how much you would have in your pension at age 65, depending on when you start and how much you pay in (it assumes your investments grow 7 per cent a year after charges and you have no other savings).

Age

$250 a month

$500 a month

$1,000 a month

25

$640,829

$1,281,657

$2,563,315

35

$303,219

$606,439

$1,212,877

45

$131,596

$263,191

$526,382

55

$44,351

$88,702

$177,403

 

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On Women's Day
Updated: May 16, 2023, 7:06 AM`
Turkey