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Turkey's Erdogan makes video appearance following health scare

After canceling a series of campaign events and travel over the past two days due to a health issue, Turkey's president seemed to be recovered but fatigued in a video appearance.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks via a video link at the opening of Turkey’s first nuclear power plant in Turkey’s Mediterranean port city of Mersin, April 27, 2023.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks via a video link at the opening of Turkey’s first nuclear power plant in Turkey’s Mediterranean port city of Mersin, April 27, 2023. — T.C. Cumhurbaskanligi/ Twitter

ANKARA — Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a video appearance on Thursday after canceling a series of campaign events and travel over the past two days for health reasons. The health saga comes at a critical time in Turkish politics, ahead of country's elections due to be held on May 14. 

Speaking via a video link at the opening of Turkey’s first nuclear power plant in country's Mediterranean port city of Mersin, a seemingly recovered but fatigued Erdogan said the project was the biggest joint Turkish-Russian investment yet. Erdogan, 69 years old, spoke for six minutes. 

"Albeit after a 60-year delay, our country has entered the league of nuclear powers," Erdogan said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke virtually at the same event for 12 minutes.

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