Incumbent Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan cast his vote in Istanbul as he looks to extend his rule into a third decade
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he addresses his supporters following early exit poll results for the second round of the presidential election in Istanbul, Turkey May 28, 2023. REUTERS/Murad SezerVote shows polarised nation after divisive campaignextended his two decades in power in elections on Sunday, winning a mandate to pursue increasingly authoritarian policies which have polarised Turkey and strengthened its position as a regional military power.
The election had been seen as one of the most consequential yet for Turkey, with the opposition believing it had a strong chance of unseating Erdogan and reversing his policies after his popularity was hit by a cost-of-living crisis. Kilicdaroglu's defeat will likely be mourned by Turkey's NATO allies which have been alarmed by Erdogan's ties to Russian PresidentAddressing jubilant supporters from atop a bus in Istanbul, Erdogan, 69, said "the only winner today is Turkey". "I thank every single one of our people who once again gave us the responsibility to govern the country five more years," he said.
"I expect everything to become better," said Nisa, 28, a headscarved woman wearing a headband with Erdogan's name."There are issues, problems in every country around the world, in European countries as well ... With strong leadership we will overcome Turkey's problems as well," said the supporter who gave his name as Mert, 39, as he celebrated with his son.
But in the first round of voting on May 14, which included parliamentary elections, his AK Party emerged top in 10 of the 11 provinces hit by the earthquakes, helping it to secure a parliamentary majority along with its allies.French President Emmanuel Macron offered congratulations, saying France and Turkey had "huge challenges to face together".
Erdogan had also maintained the support of conservative voters who long felt marginalised. "This era will be characterized by a decline in political and civil liberties, polarization, and cultural fights between two political tribes," he said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Turkey's President Erdogan seals election victory to enter third decade in powerAnalysts saw the 69-year-old Erdogan's victory as all but in the bag after the first vote on May 14.
Read more »
Turkey's Erdogan urges voters to turn out, rival sees 'last exit'Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan sought to build on his momentum going into Sunday's runoff presidential election, urging Turks to vote as the man aiming to defeat him called on electors to pull their country from 'the dark pit' of his two-decade rule.
Read more »
In Erdogan stronghold, adulation and unease ahead of Turkey runoffThe city of Sivas in central Turkey is a bastion of Erdogan loyalists, but some here describe support for the president as tenuous despite his first-round victory.
Read more »
Erdogan positioned to extend rule in Turkey runoff electionTurks vote on Sunday in a presidential runoff that could see Tayyip Erdogan extend his rule into a third decade and intensify Turkey's increasingly authoritarian path, muscular foreign policy and unorthodox economic governance.
Read more »
NEWSMAKER Erdogan defies predictions of political demise ahead of Turkey election runoffPresident Tayyip Erdogan has defied forecasts of his political demise in Turkey's elections, rallying voters with a potent mix of religious conservatism and nationalism that looks set to propel his rule into a third decade on Sunday.
Read more »