Ankara - Turkey’s incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared victory in the country's runoff election, securing a third decade in power.
Unofficial results from competing news agencies showed Erdogan with 52% of the vote, while his challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, received 48% reported Associated Press.
A jubilant Erdogan addressed his supporters, thanking them for entrusting him with governing the country for another five years. He mocked Kilicdaroglu for his loss, while asserting that the only winner in the election was Turkey itself.
Erdogan's victory has broader implications due to Turkey's geopolitical position as a crossroads between Europe and Asia and its role in NATO.
During his tenure, Erdogan has faced criticism for increasing authoritarianism, economic challenges, and his response to a devastating earthquake. However, he has maintained support from conservative voters who appreciate his efforts to elevate Islam's profile and expand Turkey's influence.
Erdogan's AKP party and its allies also secured a majority of seats in parliament in the legislative election held on May 14. Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the pro-secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), campaigned on promises to reverse democratic backsliding, restore the economy, and improve relations with the West.
The election took place amid the 10th anniversary of mass anti-government protests, which were met with a crackdown on civil society and freedom of expression. International observers raised concerns about the criminalization of disseminating false information and online censorship, which they believed gave Erdogan an unfair advantage.
Erdogan and pro-government media portrayed Kilicdaroglu as colluding with "terrorists" and framing him as a threat to national security.
Turkey's position at the intersection of Europe and Asia, as well as its role in NATO, means that Erdogan's victory will have implications beyond Ankara.
While his government's actions, such as vetoing Sweden's bid to join NATO and purchasing Russian missile-defense systems, have strained relationships with some Western countries, Turkey has also played a significant role in brokering international agreements, such as facilitating Ukrainian grain shipments.