The bitter relief of Syrian refugees in Turkey after Erdogan’s victory

“I am single. And relief. » Outside the door of the small room where he lives, 33-year-old Wafa sees the glow of distant fireworks in the growing darkness as AKP supporters celebrate victory in the early hours of Sunday, May 28. Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the southern suburbs of Alexandretta.

A few shouts reach the small group of Syrian refugees trapped along the four lanes that bisect the area, in the middle of the old workshops. One of them is where Vafa and his mother live. Outside, six other families live together in tents. All lived in Antakya, more than an hour away, before the Feb. 6 earthquake threw them onto the street. The earthquake killed at least 50,000 people, including thousands in the city. “It’s a constant stress: an earthquake, an election…”, Wafa continues.

Millions of Syrian refugees anxiously await the outcome of the presidential election, which will weigh heavily on their future. Their presence in the country will be one of the central themes of a particularly fierce campaign on the subject, especially between the two tours. Opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu went so far as to denounce the presence of 10 million foreigners. “Criminal vehicles are being manufactured that threaten national security,” And we promise to send all Syrians home within two years. About 3.6 million of them live in the country, almost all of them enjoy the status of “temporary protection”.

Fear of using scapegoats

“If they stay, our cities will fall under the control of mafia clans and drug lords.” do you understand If they stay, feminicides will increase and young girls will not be able to walk alone in the streets.”, He threw it between two towers. A few days before the vote, new posters with the likeness of Kemal Kilicdaroglu appeared, where they wrote in large letters: Syrians will go! You decide ! » Some are plastered on the walls of primary schools where refugee children study. In this climate of escalating xenophobia, many Syrians have chosen to keep a low profile.

“For us, this election was like a curfew on Sunday”– says Ali, a resident of Mersin. Like this elevator repairman, many Syrians in recent days—workers, entrepreneurs, or students—have chosen to stay home on election day, fearing to be caught in the crossfire or scapegoated in the event of a violent backlash. Two camps declaring defeat.