Erdogan begins the campaign for reelection in Turkey

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has launched his ruling party's bid to stay in power, as he seeks to extend his leadership of Turkey beyond 20 years. He is facing his stiffest challenge yet from six opposition parties who have combined forces for presidential and parliamentary elections on 14 May. Turkey faces soaring inflation and is reeling from twin earthquakes that have left 50,000 people dead. Any candidate that can secure more than half the presidential vote on 14 May is the outright winner, and if not, the race goes to a run-off two weeks later. Increasing numbers of Turks have blamed him for soaring inflation, due to his unorthodox refusal to raise interest rates. The official inflation rate is just above 50%, but academics say it is actually higher than 100%.