Web Desk
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed his supporters in Istanbul, declaring the Turkish nation as the winner of the second round of the presidential election. He emphasized that all 85 million citizens of Turkey emerged victorious in this election.
Erdogan stated that this victory opens the door to the “Century of Türkiye,” highlighting the significance of the moment. His speech followed the release of initial results, showing him leading with 52.10 percent of the vote, with 98.2 percent of the ballots counted. Opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu received 47.88 percent.
Erdogan praised the will of the people, stating that their unwavering power was demonstrated at the ballot box. The election witnessed participation from over 60 million registered voters, including 4.9 million first-time voters. Throughout the country, a total of 191,885 ballot boxes were set up to accommodate voters.
The presidential runoff marked a critical moment for Turkey, as Erdogan aimed to extend his rule into a third decade, continuing the country’s increasingly authoritarian path, assertive foreign policy, and unique economic governance.
Despite predictions from opinion polls, Erdogan secured a comfortable lead in the first round on May 14, with a nearly five-point advantage over his rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu. However, he fell just short of the required 50% threshold, necessitating a runoff. The outcome of the election carries significant implications for Turkey itself and global geopolitics.
