Supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdogan are celebrating his victory in Turkey’s runoff election, securing him another five years in power as president. Addressing the jubilant crowds outside his palace in Ankara, Erdogan proclaimed that the entire nation of 85 million had emerged victorious.
Though opposition leader denounced the election as the most unfair in recent years, alleging that Erdogan’s political party had utilized state resources against him. Kilicdaroglu did not explicitly concede defeat as Erdogan secured just over 52% of the vote.
Despite taking Erdogan to a run-off second round for the first time since the direct election of the presidency in 2014, Kilicdaroglu was unable to significantly close the gap, falling over two million votes behind. Erdogan celebrated his victory by addressing supporters atop a bus in Istanbul, followed by an address from his palace balcony to an adoring crowd. He referred to the election as one of the most significant in Turkish history.
Erdogan taunted his defeated opponent with the chant “Bye, bye, Kemal,” which was echoed by his supporters. He criticized the main opposition party’s increase in parliamentary seats, claiming that the true number had fallen due to seat allocations to its allies. Erdogan also condemned the opposition alliance’s pro-LGBT policies, emphasizing his focus on families.
The election campaign was marked by growing animosity, and an opposition party official was fatally stabbed in front of a party office in Ordu, although the motive remains unclear.
Erdogan’s extended term in power, reaching a quarter of a century, was symbolized by the unprecedented opening of the palace complex to the public. Supporters from across Ankara gathered to celebrate, expressing their joy through Islamic chants and prayer. Despite Turkey’s economic crisis, Erdogan’s supporters temporarily set aside their concerns, with many expressing confidence in his economic policies. However, the president acknowledged that tackling inflation remained the country’s most pressing issue.
