- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won re-election in a tense run-off. He won the second round of the election with 52.14 percent of the vote, beating his challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
- Vladimir Putin, Zelenskyy, and Narendra Modi joined by Western leaders, such as Rishi Sunak, Joe Biden, and Emmanuel Macron, took to Twitter to share congratulate Mr. Erdogan on his election win.
- With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Turkey also holds increasing importance as the gatekeeper to the Black Sea and has been central in negotiating crucial deals to maintain the export of Ukrainian grain.
- Western leaders, including the UK’s prime minister, have also been keen to push the idea of a “strong relationship” between Turkey and the West.
- Opponent refuses to admit defeat. Kemal Kilicdaroglu took the stage earlier this evening, and in a rousing speech, he refused to admit defeat.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won re-election in a tense run-off after failing to secure more than 50% of the votes required for an outright victory on May 14. According to the Supreme Election Council, Erdogan won the second round of the election with 52.14 percent of the vote, beating his challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who won 47.86 percent. Erdogan extends his 20-year rule for an additional five years thanks to the vote, which secures his place in history. He had previously surpassed the 15-year presidency of the Republic of Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Turkey holds a unique position in world politics because of its geographical location as the junction between Europe and Asia – in particular the Middle East and as the gatekeeper to the Black Sea. Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy have joined world leaders in congratulating Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his election win.
In a letter to President Erdogan celebrating his narrow run-off victory, Mr. Putin addressed the Turkish leader as “Dear Friend” and praised his efforts at strengthening Russian-Turkish relations.
Mr. Zelensky also offered his congratulations to Mr. Erdogan and spoke of the need for the “further strengthening” of Ukraine and Turkey’s “strategic” partnership.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on his re-election as the President of Türkiye. “I am confident that our bilateral ties and cooperation on global issues will continue to grow in the coming times,” he wrote on Twitter.
He was joined by Western leaders, such as Rishi Sunak, Joe Biden, and Emmanuel Macron, who took to Twitter to share congratulate Mr. Erdogan on his election win.
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Turkey also holds increasing importance as the gatekeeper to the Black Sea and has been central in negotiating crucial deals to maintain the export of Ukrainian grain. Though a NATO country – and one which has in the past pushed for European Union membership – Turkey maintains diplomatic relations with Russia.
In September last year, when asked whether Russia should be able to keep its territorial gains, he told US public broadcaster: “No, and undoubtedly no. “If peace is going to be established in Ukraine, of course, the return of the land that was invaded will become really important. This is what is expected.”
Western leaders, including the UK’s prime minister, have also been keen to push the idea of a “strong relationship” between Turkey and the West. In a statement, a Downing Street spokesperson said Mr. Sunak and Mr. Erodgan had spoken since his election victory was confirmed.
With 99% of the votes counted, Mr.Erdogan, who served as prime minister from 2003 to 2014, won with a share of 52.1%. It means he has secured a record-breaking third term as president and will serve at least five more years in power.
The opponent refuses to admit defeat. Kemal Kilicdaroglu took the stage earlier this evening, and in a rousing speech, he refused to admit defeat. Meanwhile, Mr. Erdogan’s 74-year-old challenger promised to restore a more democratic society.
(With inputs from agencies)
