Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been re-elected as the President of Turkey, reported TRT. In the second round of polls, Erdogan led with 53.41% of the vote while opposition candidate Kilicdaroglu has 46.59%, with 75.42% of votes counted, said the Supreme Election Council, reported Anadolu news agency. The second phase of polling took place on Sunday across Turkey to decide the fate of its longest-serving President Recept Tayyip Erdogan and his opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the candidate of a six-party alliance and leader of Turkey’s centre-left main opposition party.

“Today we are writing our history once again,” Erdogan said as he addressed his supporters in Istanbul thanking them while the crowds cheered for him.

“We will preserve our unity as a nation,” he said, adding that today’s election result “have shown once again that no one can covet the gains of Turkey.”  

“Your will has become Turkey’s unbending, stainless power at the ballot box,” Erdogan said who secured a huge mandate despite crippling inflation and the effects of a devastating earthquake three months ago, but made no mention of the same in his address. 

While an official announcement is awaited, greetings for Erdogan have started pouring in from leaders of nations and supporters have taken to the streets for celebration.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Erdogan saying it reflects “trust and confidence of Turkish people in his dynamic leadership.”

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also congratulated Erdogan on his ‘unquestionable election victory’. 

Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al Thani also said “congratulated Turkish President Erdogan for runoff victory, wishing success for new term”.  

In the first phase on May 14, Erdogan finished four percentage points ahead of Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the candidate of a six-party alliance and leader of Turkey’s centre-left main opposition party, despite crippling inflation and the effects of a devastating earthquake three months ago.

The runoff is significant not only for Turkey but would have far-spread implications as the country stands at the crossroads of Asia and Europe and plays a key role in NATO. 

(With inputs from Anadolu and TRT)