Turkey itself
Erdogan interrupted the live interview due to stomach flu
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan canceled a live television interview on Tuesday, returning and apologizing, citing a stomach flu.
Published
Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on April 11, 2023.
AFP
The 69-year-old leader delivered three campaign speeches on Tuesday, promising that presidential and legislative elections on May 14 would be very tight. He was to close the evening live with a joint interview with Ulke TV and Kanal 7.
His TV appearance started over 90 minutes late, then was cut short in the middle of a question after a 10-minute interview. The camera was rolling and the reporter got up from his chair and asked a question when the broadcast cut off. “Oh wow,” said an unidentified voice from behind the camera.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologized for being ill 15 minutes later. “Yesterday and today there is a lot of work. This caused me stomach flu,” he said. “At one point I wondered if it would be a bad idea if we canceled the show. But we promised. I apologize to you and your audience.
His face looked tired and his eyes watery as he spoke. Before the program ended, the Turkish leader answered a few more questions.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamic-conservative AKP party have dominated Turkish politics for 20 years. But the current election campaign is the biggest challenge for the outgoing president. Polls show him neck and neck or being beaten by Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
(AFP)
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