Erdogan interrupts live interview due to health concerns

More than two weeks before the elections in Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan interrupted a live interview due to short-term health problems and canceled performances for next Wednesday.

The president wrote on Twitter that he would rest on Wednesday due to “mild discomfort” and on the advice of his doctors. He hopes to be able to continue his program on Thursday.

During the interview late Tuesday evening, the camera was pointed at the reporter when suddenly suffocating noises were heard in the background, according to recordings. The reporter whispers “advertisement”, stands up, then the broadcast is cut off. After a short break, Erdogan, 69, reappeared on screen and said he had had a tough campaign day and had stomach problems. He apologized for the inconvenience.

Erdogan’s spokesman Ibrahim Kalin shared the recording, writing: “Thank God our president’s health is good.” The incident sparked concern among his supporters. Opposition leader and Erdogan challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu wished him a speedy recovery on Twitter.

The parliamentary and presidential elections in Turkey will take place on May 14. About 1.5 million Turkish voters in Germany will be called to vote from next Thursday. Polls suggest a race is brewing between Erdogan and his challenger Kilicdaroglu, who is running for a broad opposition alliance, in the presidential election.

(aeg/sda/dpa)