Ogan: Could Only Support Kilicdaroglu If No Concessions To Kurdish Party

Wires carrying comments from Sinan Oğan, the ultranationalist candidate who came third in the first round of the presidential election with 5.2% of the vote with 99.38% of votes counted. Oğan states that he could only support main opposition candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu if no concessions are made to the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP). Says that fight against terrorism and repatriating refugees are his 'red lines' for backing Kılıçdaroğlu or incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Oğan: Main opposition alliance was not able to convince voters it could solve Turkey's problems.

• Winning Oğan's backing is likely to be absolutely essential if Kılıçdaroğlu has any hope of pulling off a shock win in the second round of the presidential election on 28 May. Erdoğan fell just short in the first round with 49.42% of the vote, requiring just a small number of Oğan's voters to switch to him to put him over the line.
• Given Oğan's ultranationalist views, his supporters may be more likely to break towards Erdoğan rather than Kılıçdaroğlu, even if Oğan endorses the latter. The pro-Kurdish HDP are not an official part of the opposition Nation Alliance, but endorsed Kılıçdaroğluin the presidential election.