ISTANBUL, May 28 (Reuters) – President Tayyip Erdogan extended his two decades in power in elections on Sunday, winning a mandate to pursue increasingly authoritarian policies that have polarized Turkey and strengthened in its position as a regional military power.
His challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, called it “the most unfair election in years” but did not dispute the outcome.
The official results showed that Kilicdaroglu won 47.9% of the votes to Erdogan’s 52.1%, pointing to a deeply divided country.
The election is seen as one of the most important yet for Turkey, with the opposition believing it has a strong chance of ousting Erdogan and changing his policies after his popularity hit a cost- of-living crisis.
However, the victory reinforced his image of invincibility, after redrawing the domestic, economic, security and foreign policy of the NATO member country of 85 million people.
The prospect of five more years of his rule is a major blow to opponents who accuse him of undermining democracy as he amasses more power – a charge he denies.
Kilicdaroglu’s defeat will likely be mourned by Turkey’s NATO allies who are alarmed by Erdogan’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who congratulated his “dear friend” on his victory.
Addressing jubilant supporters from the top of a bus in Istanbul, Erdogan, 69, said “the only winner today is Turkey”. “I thank each of our people who once again gave us the responsibility of running the country for five more years,” he said.
Erdogan’s victory extends his tenure as the longest-serving leader since Mustafa Kemal Ataturk built modern Turkey from the ruins of the Ottoman Empire a century ago – a politically potent anniversary to be marked in October with Erdogan in charge.
Erdogan, head of the Islamist-rooted AK Party, appealed to voters with nationalist and conservative rhetoric during a divisive campaign that diverted attention from deeper economic problems.
In his victory speech, he again attacked the opposition, calling them pro-LGBT.
Kilicdaroglu, who promised to put the country on a more democratic and collaborative path, said the vote showed the will of the people to change an authoritarian government. “All the means of the state are laid at the feet of one man,” he said.
‘IN AND OUT’
Erdogan’s supporters, who gathered outside his residence in Istanbul, chanted Allahu Akbar, or God is Greatest.
“I hope everything will get better,” said Nisa, 28, a woman wearing a headband bearing Erdogan’s name.
Another Erdogan supporter said Turkey would be stronger with him in office for five years.
“There are issues, problems in every country around the world, in European countries as well… With strong leadership we can also overcome the problems in Turkey,” said the supporter who gave his name as Mert, 39, while celebrating with his son.
Bugra Oztug, 24, who voted for Kilicdaroglu, blamed the opposition for failing to change. “I feel sad and disappointed but I’m not without hope. I still think that there are people who can see the facts and truth,” said Oztug.
Erdogan’s performance has misled opponents who think voters will punish him for the state’s slow response to the devastating earthquakes in February, in which more than 50,000 people died.
But in the first round of voting on May 14, which includes parliamentary elections, his AK Party came out on top in 10 of the 11 provinces hit by the earthquakes, helping it secure a parliamentary majority with allies. this.
FEARS FOR LIBERTY
French President Emmanuel Macron offered congratulations, saying France and Turkey have “great challenges to face together”.
The presidents of Iran, Israel, and the Saudi king were among the leaders to congratulate him in the Middle East, where Erdogan expressed Turkey’s influence, sometimes with military power. Erdogan, who for years has been at odds with many governments in the region, has taken a more conciliatory stance in recent years.
Emre Erdogan, a professor of political science at Bilgi University in Istanbul, says Erdogan’s success in believing in his supporters “is in his ability to solve problems, even if he does a lot of them”.
Erdogan has also maintained the support of conservative voters who have long felt alienated. “This period was characterized by the decline of political and civil liberties, polarization, and cultural clashes between the two political tribes,” he said.
Erdogan appeared victorious despite years of economic turmoil that critics blamed on unorthodox economic policies that the opposition has vowed to reverse.
Uncertainty about what Erdogan’s victory would mean for economic policy pushed the lira to record lows last week.
Reuters reported last week that there was disagreement within Erdogan’s government over whether to stick with what some called an unsustainable economic program or abandon it.
Kilicdaroglu has promised to reset governance, restore human rights, and restore the independence of the courts and central bank after they were sidelined for the past decade.
Additional reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen, Ezgi Erkoyun, Burcu Karakas, Daren Butler and Jonathan Spicer in Istanbul and Ece Toksabay and Huseyin Hayatsever in Ankara Writing by Alexandra Hudson and Tom Perry Editing by Frances Kerry and Giles Elgood
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