Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won re-election, in a tense run-off, according to the country’s Supreme Election Council and unofficial data from the state-run Anadolu Agency.
The run-off followed Erdogan’s inability to secure over 50 per cent of votes in the first round on May 14.
securing over 50 per cent of votes in the first round is required for an outright victory in the first round.
With almost all of the votes counted, Erdogan received 52.14 per cent of votes in the second round on Sunday.
He beat his challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who won 47.86 per cent, according to the Supreme Election Council.
The result is expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
The vote seals Erdogan’s place in history as he extends his 20-year rule for a further five years.
He had already outstripped the 15-year presidency of the Republic of Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Erdogan appeared outside his residence in Istanbul’s Uskudar, where he sang before thanking an adoring crowd.
“We have completed the second round of the presidential elections with the favour of our people,” Erdogan said.
“God willing we will be worthy of your trust as we have been for the last 21 years.”
He added that all 85 million citizens of the country were the “victors” of the two rounds of voting on May 14 and May 28.
The president also said that the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) will hold candidate Kilicdaroglu accountable for his bad performance.
He added that the number of CHP seats in the parliament decreased compared to the 2017 polls.
He then headed to Ankara, where he addressed supporters at the presidential palace.
Read Related News:
Voting begins in presidential runoff in Türkiye
Turkey’s presidential election heads for run-off – Election council
Erdogan leading in Turkish presidential elections
Erdogan congratulated the crowds and told them that the most urgent issue the country currently faced was inflation.
He said that it was not a difficult problem to solve.
U.S. President Joe Biden is among the early world leaders to congratulate Erdogan on the election win.
The United States and Turkey have had a rocky relationship over the last few years, with significant differences over Syria and Turkey’s purchase of a missile system from Russia, although tensions have since eased.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wished Erdogan a “good term with a lot of work” for the Turkish people.
Lula wrote on Twitter that Erdogan can “count on Brazil’s partnership in global cooperation for peace, in the fight against poverty and for the development of the world”.
French President Emmanuel Macron said France and Turkey “will continue to move forward”.
“France and Turkey have huge challenges to face together. Return of peace to Europe, future of our Euro-Atlantic Alliance, Mediterranean Sea.
“With President Erdogan, whom I congratulate on his re-election, we will continue to move forward,” Macron wrote on Twitter.
Saudi King Salman congratulated Erdogan on his presidential win, according to the state news agency.
Also, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson extended his congratulations to Erdogan via Twitter.
Kristersson stressed that the two countries’ security “is a future priority”.
Turkey has blocked Sweden’s ascension to NATO and the continued Swedish effort to secure membership is likely to be one of the main issues in Erdogan’s foreign policy agenda.
Do you have a flair for Citizenship Journalism? Share story(ies) of happenings in your area with The NewsZenith on WhatsApp: 08033668669 or thenewszenith@gmail.com
