Istanbul, 27 April 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Voting in Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14 is set to start on Thursday for Turks living abroad, with the largest diaspora of 1.5 million to cast their votes in Germany.

Voting abroad will be possible until May 9, with a total of 26 polling stations open in Germany alone.

In Turkey's 2018 presidential elections, Germany was at the centre of a heated debate, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan blaming German authorities for blocking his campaign efforts in the country.

Such tension is not expected this time.

After 20 years in power, Erdoğan faces his toughest election test yet. Recent polls predict a neck and neck race between the incumbent and Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of a rare opposition camp of secular, conservative and nationalist factions.

A second round between two top presidential contenders will take place on May 28 unless the May 14 poll produces a clear winner with more than 50% of votes.

Photo: EPA