Quake response could shape Turkish polls, experts say

ANKARA — Turkiye's deadliest earthquake in a generation has handed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a huge rescue and reconstruction challenge for the country as elections approach in May.

The rescue efforts and aid measures deployed by the country could affect the election, observers say.

On Wednesday Erdogan acknowledged "shortcomings" in his country's response to the earthquake. "It is not possible to be prepared for such a disaster," he said. "We will not leave any of our citizens uncared for."

He also hit back at critics, saying "dishonorable people" were spreading "lies and slander" about the government's actions.

Analysts say Erdogan, whose government has tackled earthquakes, wildfires and other natural disasters since he came to power in 2003, could rally national support around the crisis response.

Speaking just hours after Monday's quake, which he described as the worst to hit Turkiye in more than 80 years, Erdogan said thousands of rescue workers had mobilized and no effort would be spared in the harsh winter conditions.

"Erdogan responded rapidly and coherently to the crisis," the consultancy the Eurasia Group said. "That is likely to burnish his strong leader image ahead of the 14 May elections — if the government can maintain its early momentum."

Reconstruction costs are likely to run at many billions of dollars, straining an economy already hit by annual inflation of 58 percent, Reuters reported.

The disruption in a region that is home to 13 million people is expected to curb growth this year, economists say.

The scale of the damage, across hundreds of kilometers and affecting millions of people and their homes, would "completely reset "Turkiye's economy and politics, said Atilla Yesilada, of Global Source Partners.

Describing the 7.8 magnitude quake as a "black swan", an occurrence so unforeseen or unlikely that it could have extreme consequences, he said it was unclear whether elections could be held in the hardest-hit regions.

Agencies Via Xinhua