Key dates in Erdogan’s career

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who earlier this year marked 20 years in power - first as prime minister and later as president - is seeking a third consecutive presidential term in elections on May 14.

The 69-year-old started as a reformist who expanded rights and freedoms, allowing his majority-Muslim country to start European Union membership negotiations.

He later reversed course, cracking down on dissent, stifling the media and passing measures that eroded democracy.

The presidential and parliamentary elections could be Erdogan's most challenging yet. They will be held amid economic turmoil and high inflation, just three months after a devastating earthquake.

Here's a look at some of the key dates in Erdogan's rule:

- March 27, 1994: Erdogan is elected mayor of Istanbul, running on the pro-Islamic Welfare Party ticket.

- Dec 12...