▲ Turkish President Erdogan greets supporters


Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won the presidential election and won re-election after a close battle leading up to the runoff vote on the 28th local time.

With 99 percent of ballot boxes counted, Erdogan won 52.08 percent of the vote, ahead of Republican People's Party leader Kemal Klutsdarōlu, who received 47.92 percent, according to the state-run Anadolu News Agency.

"I am grateful to all the people for entrusting me with the responsibility of governing Türkiye for the next five years," Erdogan told supporters on the night of the final vote counting, adding, "Türkiye is the only winner today, and all 5 million people have won. This victory opened the door to the "Turkish Century". The results of this election have shown once again that no one can covet the interests of Turkey."

Erdogan's re-election will allow him to challenge for a de facto lifetime rule, which lasts up to 8 years from his first rule in 500 until 2003.

There are also expectations that Türkiye's authoritarian regime under a monarchical presidential system will be further strengthened.

Along with a diplomatic line aimed at regional hegemony aimed at a strong Türkiye, a pro-Russian line and uneasy relations with the West are also expected to continue.

(Photo = Getty Images Korea)