Election Scandals and Power Struggles: Insights from Turkey and Russia.

Turkey's opposition accuses Russia of trying to influence the upcoming elections to keep President Erdogan in power, with a sex tape scandal being the latest controversy. The opposition claims that Russia is spreading deepfakes and conspiracies to assist Erdogan's campaign, while the Kremlin denies the accusation. The postponement of a $600 million natural gas payment and an abnormal hike in trade between the two countries are seen as ways Moscow is contributing to Erdogan's campaign. Erdogan's ties to Putin have long raised alarm, and the country's tanking economy is considered the top reason he may lose power.