Turkey's Erdogan wins election, solidifying his grip on power

As foreign leaders rushed to congratulate President Erdogan over his election victory, the president maintained a polarizing tone against his rivals during his victory speech.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at his final election campaign rally of the second round of the election campaign on May 27, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. President Erdogan was forced into a runoff election when neither he nor his main challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu of the Republican People's Party (CHP), received more than 50 percent of the vote on the May 14 election. The runoff vote will be held this Sunday, May 28. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at his final election campaign rally of the second round of the election campaign on May 27, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. President Erdogan was forced into a runoff election when neither he nor his main challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu of the Republican People's Party (CHP), received more than 50 percent of the vote on the May 14 election. The runoff vote will be held this Sunday, May 28. - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
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Ezgi Akin
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ANKARA — Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan secured on Sunday another term in office, extending his 20-year hold on power in the NATO country and defeating main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Erdogan, 69, won Turkey's most contested election in a race that saw the country deeply split around issues of the economy, national security, refugees and foreign relations.

Turkey’s High Election Board (YSK) called Erdogan’s victory late Sunday local time. Erdogan received 52.14% of the vote while Kilicdaroglu received 47.86%, according to unofficial results announced by YSK head Ahmet Yener.

Several current and former foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump, rushed to congratulate Erdogan after his election victory. 

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