MOSCOW: Russian President Putin has congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his re-election, local media reported on Sunday.
In a statement issued by Kremlin, President Putin said, “Your win in these polls is the logical result of your dedicated work as head of Turkey, very clear indication of the Turkish people’s support for your works to strengthen country sovereignty and also pursue an independent, foreign policy,”.
Putin Congratulates Erdogan
Erdogan has collaborated closely with Moscow on key global issues despite some differences, APP reported.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won re-election, according to unofficial results from state-run Anadolu Agency, following a tense run-off after failing to secure an outright victory in the first round on May 14, where he fell short of the required 50 percent of votes.
With 98.78 percent of ballot boxes opened, Erdogan received 52.10 percent of votes in the second round on Sunday, defeating his challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who garnered 47.90 percent. The official confirmation of the results is yet to come from the Supreme Election Council.
Erdogan, the President of Turkey, declared victory on Sunday in a historic runoff election that presented the toughest challenge to his two-decade rule.
Addressing his enthusiastic supporters from atop a bus in his home district in Istanbul, Erdogan expressed gratitude and confidence, stating, “We will be ruling the country for the coming five years. God willing, we will be deserving of your trust.”
This victory solidifies Erdogan’s position in history as he extends his rule for a further five years, surpassing the 15-year presidency of Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Celebrations erupted among Erdogan’s supporters as crowds gathered at the presidential palace in Ankara, eagerly awaiting his victory speech. Prior to addressing the crowd, Erdogan appeared outside his residence in Istanbul’s Uskudar, where he expressed gratitude and sang before his adoring supporters.
