Erdogan declares victory in historic Turkish vote
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won a strong mandate with more than 53% of the vote in an election that cements his legacy as Turkey’s most powerful leader in decades. But his main rival has refused to concede, saying it was too early to say Erdogan had won outright.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan handily won re-election Sunday, cementing his hold on power with immense new authority, but his historic victory was tempered after his ruling party was deprived of a majority in a concurrent parliamentary vote and the opposition refusal to concede.
His main rival, Muharrem Ince, nominated by center-left Republican People’s Party (CHP), had not yet admitted defeat in the early hours of Monday. Other opposition parties also cried foul play over the integrity of the vote.
Erdogan, Turkey’s most popular if contentious politician, won 52.6% of the vote with 99% of ballot boxes counted, trailed by Ince, who drew record crowds during a spirited campaign but won just 30.7%, failing to force Erdogan into a second round, according to unofficial results reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency.
In uncharacteristically conciliatory remarks, Erdogan said Turkey had taught the world “a lesson in democracy."
