Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has returned to his election campaign after a brief illness. Erdogan, who fell ill during a live broadcast earlier this week, made his first public appearance since then at an aerospace and technology festival in Istanbul. Speaking for around 30 minutes, he attacked his political opponents for questioning the energy and defence projects he has recently announced as part of his re-election campaign. Erdogan also introduced two Turkish citizens who had been chosen to be part of a mission to the International Space Station later this year.
Erdogan's illness had caused concern among his supporters with just over two weeks left until the May 14 election, which is expected to be the toughest test in his two-decade rule. The president usually visits Turkey's biggest cities in the final stages of his campaigns to shore up support and push a get-out-the-vote message to his followers. A prolonged illness could have prevented him from appearing at major rallies in the campaign's final stretch, potentially hurting his chances of re-election.
Despite the illness, polls suggest that the contest remains tight as Erdogan, aged 69, seeks another term. His main competitor is Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the 74-year-old head of the main opposition Republican People's Party, who represents a six-party alliance. Erdogan is expected to speak at rallies in Izmir and Ankara later this weekend.
The president's return to the campaign trail could prove crucial for his re-election bid. With the race still too close to call, Erdogan will be hoping to rally his supporters and drum up as much support as possible in these final few weeks.