Bosnian Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik called on Turkish citizens to vote for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sunday’s election, saying his perseverance and patriotism had turned Turkey into a « progressive and modern country ».
Dodik, the president of Republika Srpska, one of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s two autonomous entities, backed Erdogan on Wednesday, becoming the second leader of the Western Balkans, after Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.
« President Erdogan is a man of peace and dialogue, firmly in favor of stabilizing our region and the world, » Dodik said, according to Oslobodjenje.
« Thanks to his tenacity, patriotism and determination, Turkey is today a progressive and modern country, » he said, adding that he is confident that Turkish citizens realize that Erdogan can ensure long-term stability and prosperity.
Erdogan, who has been in power for two decades, hopes to extend his rule on Sunday but faces his toughest challenge yet in the face of growing popular discontent fueled by runaway inflation and falling living standards.
Dodik, who is under US sanctions for undermining stability and democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, visited Turkey in November 2021, on one of his rare trips abroad, and held talks with the Turkish president.
Source: Euractiv
