Erdogan cancels election rallies: Turkish president 'resting at home' after stomach bug Three weeks out in a tight Turkish election race and the incumbent's having to hit pause. A stomach flu blamed for Recep Tayep Erdogan scrapping three campaign stops in the Anatolian heartland this Wednesday. On Tuesday evening, the 69-year old Erdogan had to interrupt a television interview for 30 minutes before returning to the set. FRANCE 24's correspondent Jasper Mortimer in Ankara tells us more.