Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkiye, won the runoff presidential election held on the 28th (local time), securing re-election. With this re-election, President Erdogan can challenge the longest tenure in office until 2033 since his first term began in 2003.
On the day the runoff vote counting was nearing completion, President Erdogan expressed his gratitude in the afternoon, saying, "I thank all the people who entrusted me with the responsibility to govern Turkiye for the next five years."
He added, "Your will has become the unwavering and unchanging strength of Turkiye in the ballot box," and "I will repay your faith according to God's will."
The Supreme Election Council of Turkiye (YSK) also officially confirmed President Erdogan's victory. Ahmet Yener, Chairman of the YSK, announced that with 99.43% of the ballots counted, President Erdogan won with 52.14% of the vote, defeating Kemal Kılı?daro?lu, who received 47.86%. The YSK explained that the vote difference exceeding 2 million means Erdogan's victory is confirmed regardless of any additional counting.
With this victory, President Erdogan will remain in power for another five years until 2028. If a sitting president holding a second term calls an early election and wins, they can serve an additional five years, opening the path for Erdogan to challenge the longest rule until 2033 and potentially hold office for life. If this happens, Erdogan, who became prime minister under the parliamentary system in 2003, will have held power for 30 years.
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