Turkish lira hits two-month low

Turkey's lira has hit a two-month low, as markets react to the uncertainty of the next two weeks ahead of the likely presidential runoff. 

The currency fell to 19.70 against the dollar in the opening hours of this morning, for the first time since a volatile trading day on 10 March.

Meanwhile, Borsa Istanbul - Turkey's only licensed operator of capital markets - was temporarily halted after the index fell more than 6 percent in pre-market trading.

Dollar bonds issued in the country also fell by 5 percent, and five-year credit default swaps jumped to the highest point since November.

Many Turkish voters have cited the economy as the key issue for them in this election.

The country is in the midst of an economic crisis, with inflation around 50 percent and soaring living costs. In recent years, Erdogan has kept interest rates low despite a surge in inflation. 

The central bank will hold its next meeting to set interest rates on 25 May - just three days before the runoff vote.