Erdogan returns from three-day campaign absence

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday appeared in public for the first time in three days after a stomach infection kept him off the campaign trail before key polls. Erdogan is seeking to extend his rule beyond 20 years in the May 14, 2023 presidential election.

He arrived together with his close ally, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Libyan prime minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah. Both countries have fought wars using Türkiye’s combat drones, which will feature prominently at the weekend aviation event.

Erdogan looked healthy addressing the crowd with a microphone in his hand, describing government efforts to help the victims of a massive February earthquake that claimed more than 50,000 lives.