The outcome of the presidential election in Turkey is approaching. Polling stations closed on Sunday after the second round. No big suspense on the results, the outgoing president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, having left in the position of favorite after two decades in power, against his rival social-democrat Kemal Kiliçdaroglu.

Despite a strong desire for change on the part of part of the electorate, tired of the economic crisis, restrictions on freedoms and the hyper-presidentialisation of a power that has sent tens of thousands of opponents behind bars or in exile, the head of state, 69, came out with a five-point lead in the first round on 14th May. with 49.5% of the vote.

A 90% participation rate

Tired face, moving slowly, Recep Tayyip Erdogan voted at midday in the Usküdar district on the Asian side of Istanbul. "No country in the world has 90% participation rates, Turkey has almost achieved them. I ask my fellow citizens to come and vote without weakening," he said. In the first round, turnout had reached 87%.

Almost simultaneously, smiling despite the unfavourable predictions, Kemal Kiliçdaroglu cast his ballot in Ankara urging his fellow citizens to vote "so that true democracy and freedom can come to this country, to get rid of an authoritarian government."

Both candidates called on their supporters to watch over the ballot box until the final results. "Now is the time to protect the will of our nation above our heads until the last moment!" tweeted Erdogan immediately after the polls closed. The first results are expected in the early evening, officials of the ruling Islamic-conservative AKP party have suggested. On Sunday, the Erdogan camp showed its confidence assuring to prepare the speech of the outgoing president, in the evening, from the presidential palace of Ankara.

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