Erdogan says Turks have given him new presidential mandate

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is seen on a big screen on the day of the second round of the presidential election in Ankara, Turkey May 28, 2023. (Photo courtesy: REUTERS)

• Erdogan defied critics and doubters by emerging with a comfortable lead against his secular challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu in the first round on May 14
• Data based on vast majority of ballot boxes counted showed Erdogan leading with roughly 52 percent support

ISTANBUL: President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday Turks had given him the responsibility of governing for the next five years, declaring Turkiye as the only winner of a runoff presidential election.
Addressing supporters atop a bus in Istanbul, Erdogan, who has led Turkiye for two decades, thanked people for voting and said he completed Sunday’s runoff vote against challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu with their support.
Official final results have not yet been released, but data based on the vast majority of ballot boxes counted showed Erdogan leading with roughly 52 percent support.