The run-off between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his arch-rival opposition leader Kemal Kirikdaroglu Fierce election campaign in Türkiyethe country’s election chief said on Monday.
Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Commission chairman Ahmet Yener said the presidential election will go to the second round on May 28 as incumbent Erdogan fell short of a clean victory.
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With the informal tally almost complete, Erdogan, who ruled Turkey for 20 years with increasing authoritarian grip, fell short of the majority needed to win a full re-election. Erdogan won 49.5% of the vote, compared to 44.8% for Kirikdaroglu, the newspaper said. State news agency Anadolu.
A candidate had to secure 50% of the vote to avoid the runoff vote.
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Turkish voters were primarily concerned with domestic issues such as the economy, civil rights and social security. February earthquake kills more than 50,000 people.However, Western countries and Investors await results. Turkey’s main benchmark stock index fell more than 6% The stock recovered about 2.5% in early trading on Monday as investors absorbed the uncertain election outcome.
The election could determine whether the NATO ally, which straddles Europe and Asia but borders Syria and Iran, will remain under President Erdogan’s control. He raised the country’s profile internationally, but at the same time implemented unconventional economic policies that undermined democratic institutions and destabilized the country’s economy. Turkey is one of the largest countries in the world to hold journalists in custody. Kirikdaloglu promised to restore stability to Turkey’s economy, promote better relations with the United States and other Western allies, and put Turkey back on a more democratic path. He is also likely to lead the Muslim-majority country in a more secular direction than Mr. Erdogan.
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important datesBiography of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
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Both sides are confident they can win the runoff vote.
“If our country chooses to vote in the second round, that’s also welcome,” Erdogan, 69, said early Monday morning, noting that votes from Turkish nationals living abroad still need to be counted. He won 60% of the foreign votes in 2018.
“We will definitely win the second round and bring democracy,” said Kilikda Rogul, 74, the candidate of the six-party coalition, arguing that Erdogan has lost faith in the nation, which is now seeking change.
But Howard Eisenstaedt, an associate professor of Middle Eastern history and politics at New York’s St. Lawrence University, said the president’s party is likely to do well in the congressional elections, which also take place on Sunday. Erdogan would probably have an advantage, he said. Voters would not want a “divided government,” he said.
Contributed by Associated Press