Sinan Ogan's supporters could now sweep one of the far-right candidate's rivals to power in Turkey. Reuters
Sinan Ogan's supporters could now sweep one of the far-right candidate's rivals to power in Turkey. Reuters
Sinan Ogan's supporters could now sweep one of the far-right candidate's rivals to power in Turkey. Reuters
Sinan Ogan's supporters could now sweep one of the far-right candidate's rivals to power in Turkey. Reuters

Who is Sinan Ogan, the far-right 'kingmaker' in Turkey's election?


Nada AlTaher
  • English
  • Arabic

Ultra-nationalist candidate Sinan Ogan may be Turkey's “kingmaker” despite placing third in presidential elections, in which Recep Tayyip Erdogan gained a narrow lead over rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Mr Ogan captured a surprising 5 per cent of the vote.

Mr Erdogan and Mr Kilicdaroglu will contest a run-off vote on May 28.

But who is Mr Ogan and what does he want? Here is what we know so far.

Who is Sinan Ogan?

Born to an Azerbaijani family in the small Turkish town of Melekli in 1967, Mr Ogan is the son of a farmer and the youngest in his family.

He completed his primary and secondary school education in the city of Igdir before studying business administration at Marmara University. He earned a master's degree in financial law in 1992.

In 2009, he was awarded a doctorate in international relations and political science by Moscow State University of International Relations.

During his youth, he was heavily active in politics, organising rallies and events to protest against the Soviets' massacre of civilians in Azerbaijan's capital Baku on January 20, 1990, now commemorated as Black January.

In 2011, he became a member of parliament after the Nationalist Movement Party won in local elections.

What party does he belong to?

Today, Mr Ogan represents nationalist, anti-refugee ideals, often claiming that Syrian refugees represent a national security threat to Turkey.

He is a member of the four-party right-wing Ancestral Alliance, which was established in March this year.

What is Ogan's role in Turkey's election?

In an interview with Reuters, Mr Ogan said he would back Mr Kilicdaroglu in run-offs if the second-placed candidate ruled out concessions to the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) pro-Kurdish party.

The left-wing HDP is accused of supporting Kurdish militias, a claim it rejects.

Turkey considers the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, to be a terrorist group.

Mr Ogan has said he would not back any candidate “who doesn’t keep a distance with the terror organisation”.

The 2.8 million people who voted for Mr Ogan in the first round of elections could be crucial to the winning candidate in the run-offs.

Turkey's presidential election voting — in pictures

  • People walk under posters showing Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara. The country is holding its first presidential run-off election after neither candidate earned more than 50 per cent of the vote in the May 14 election. Getty
    People walk under posters showing Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara. The country is holding its first presidential run-off election after neither candidate earned more than 50 per cent of the vote in the May 14 election. Getty
  • A couple walk under a poster of Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, the day after the general election, in Ankara. EPA
    A couple walk under a poster of Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, the day after the general election, in Ankara. EPA
  • People sit on a bench by posters showing Mr Kilicdaroglu in Ankara. Getty
    People sit on a bench by posters showing Mr Kilicdaroglu in Ankara. Getty
  • The bustling Taksim area of Istanbul. Turkey will hold its first presidential run-off election after neither candidate earned more than 50 per cent of the vote this week. Getty
    The bustling Taksim area of Istanbul. Turkey will hold its first presidential run-off election after neither candidate earned more than 50 per cent of the vote this week. Getty
  • People eat ice cream in Istanbul as the country prepares for an election run-off later this month. Getty
    People eat ice cream in Istanbul as the country prepares for an election run-off later this month. Getty
  • People stand in front of the Guven Monument in Ankara. Getty
    People stand in front of the Guven Monument in Ankara. Getty
  • The second round of voting will be held on May 28. Getty
    The second round of voting will be held on May 28. Getty
  • A passenger reads a newspaper on a ferry across the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Bloomberg
    A passenger reads a newspaper on a ferry across the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Bloomberg
  • Politics dominates the headlines in Istanbul on the day after the presidential elections. AP
    Politics dominates the headlines in Istanbul on the day after the presidential elections. AP
  • A billboard featuring presidential candidate Mr Kilicdaroglu in Istanbul. AP
    A billboard featuring presidential candidate Mr Kilicdaroglu in Istanbul. AP
  • A run-off for the presidency was expected to lead to volatility for the Turkish lira. AP
    A run-off for the presidency was expected to lead to volatility for the Turkish lira. AP
  • Supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gather at the AK Party's headquarters in Istanbul on election night. Getty
    Supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gather at the AK Party's headquarters in Istanbul on election night. Getty
  • Mr Erdogan, accompanied by his wife Emine, addresses supporters in Ankara. Photo: Turkish Presidential Press Office
    Mr Erdogan, accompanied by his wife Emine, addresses supporters in Ankara. Photo: Turkish Presidential Press Office
  • Election officials count ballots in Diyarbakir after polls closed in Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections. AFP
    Election officials count ballots in Diyarbakir after polls closed in Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections. AFP
  • Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, speaks to the media in Ankara. EPA
    Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, speaks to the media in Ankara. EPA
  • Mr Erdogan's supporters wave flags outside the AK Party's headquarters in Ankara. Reuters
    Mr Erdogan's supporters wave flags outside the AK Party's headquarters in Ankara. Reuters
  • Mr Erdogan casts his vote in Istanbul on Sunday. Getty
    Mr Erdogan casts his vote in Istanbul on Sunday. Getty
  • Mr Kilicdaroglu votes in Ankara. Getty
    Mr Kilicdaroglu votes in Ankara. Getty
  • People wait for Mr Erdogan outside a polling station in Istanbul. Reuters
    People wait for Mr Erdogan outside a polling station in Istanbul. Reuters
  • A man holds a ballot at a polling station in Hatay. Reuters
    A man holds a ballot at a polling station in Hatay. Reuters
  • A ballot paper featuring candidates for Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections. Reuters
    A ballot paper featuring candidates for Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections. Reuters
  • Voting began in Turkey's presidential election on Sunday morning. Reuters
    Voting began in Turkey's presidential election on Sunday morning. Reuters
  • A voter casts a ballot at a polling station in Hatay. Reuters
    A voter casts a ballot at a polling station in Hatay. Reuters
  • Hatay is one of the Turkish regions that were worst-affected by February's earthquake. Reuters
    Hatay is one of the Turkish regions that were worst-affected by February's earthquake. Reuters
  • Voters take a closer look at the candidates on the ballot, in Ankara. Getty
    Voters take a closer look at the candidates on the ballot, in Ankara. Getty
  • A ballot paper with Mr Erdogan, Muharrem Ince, Mr Kilicdaroglu and Sinan Ogan. Getty
    A ballot paper with Mr Erdogan, Muharrem Ince, Mr Kilicdaroglu and Sinan Ogan. Getty
  • Voters queue outside a polling station in Istanbul. Reuters
    Voters queue outside a polling station in Istanbul. Reuters
  • Bags containing blank ballots are stored at a temporary polling station in the courtyard of a quake-damaged school in Hatay. Reuters
    Bags containing blank ballots are stored at a temporary polling station in the courtyard of a quake-damaged school in Hatay. Reuters
  • An election worker prepares a temporary polling station in Hatay. Reuters
    An election worker prepares a temporary polling station in Hatay. Reuters
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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