Reaping an impressive 52.14% of the votes, President Erdogan emerged triumphant over his rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu in a historic runoff, announced Ahmet Yener, the head of the Election Board (YSK), on Sunday. Addressing his supporters shortly after declaring victory, Erdogan expressed gratitude to the voters for entrusting him with the responsibility of governing the nation for the next five years.
“The only winner today is Türkiye,” Erdogan declared, emphasizing the significance of the collective victory. Meanwhile, opposition leader Kilicdaroglu condemned the election as “the most unfair in years” but vowed to persist in his struggle against the Erdogan government. “We will continue to lead this fight until true democracy prevails in our country,” he asserted, refraining from explicitly conceding defeat.
In a unifying victory speech on Sunday night, Erdogan called for “unity and solidarity,” pledging to set aside all disputes and unite the nation under “national values and dreams.” He portrayed his narrow win as a victory for Turkish democracy and a testament to the support of all 85 million citizens.
“We harbor no resentment, anger, or frustration towards anyone,” Erdogan assured, emphasizing his commitment to a harmonious future. Quoting the French AFP news agency, he stated, “Today, nobody lost. The entire nation of 85 million won.” Subsequently, Erdogan shifted focus to declare “terrorist organizations” as the true losers of the election.
While acknowledging the urgent issue of high inflation in the country, Erdogan exuded confidence in resolving it swiftly, promising a decrease in inflation rates and the establishment of a strong economy built on stability and confidence. Additionally, he pledged to facilitate the return of an additional one million Syrian refugees who sought shelter in Türkiye during their country’s civil war. Erdogan also underscored his commitment to prioritize the reconstruction of cities devastated by a recent earthquake in February.
Implications for Türkiye
Erdogan’s latest victory establishes him as Türkiye’s longest-serving ruler since the republic’s founding by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk a century ago. This win revitalizes his pursuit of unconventional economic, domestic, and foreign policies. As the leader of Türkiye’s conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP), Erdogan has championed Islamic values and embraced a populist approach.
During his two-decade tenure, Erdogan empowered Türkiye’s conservative citizens, who had long felt marginalized under previous secular rulers. Notably, he pledged to enshrine the right to wear the Islamic headscarf in the constitution and transformed Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia into a mosque following a court ruling. Moreover, he has occasionally challenged Western partners and NATO allies, including delaying Norway’s succession to the alliance and blocking Sweden’s entry altogether.
Erdogan’s victory was swiftly acknowledged and congratulated by NATO allies, including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France. Russian President Vladimir Putin also joined in extending his congratulations, highlighting the ongoing ties between the Turkish leader and Russia despite the conflict in Ukraine.
One of the major domestic challenges to Erdogan’s popularity has been his unorthodox economic policies, which analysts blame for the country’s current inflation and cost-of-living crises. The volatile Turkish economy is expected to top his list of challenges. In 2021, Erdogan persistently pushed for interest rate cuts, resulting in a sharp depreciation of the local currency and skyrocketing annual inflation rates, reaching up to 85% last year.
Undeterred by warnings from analysts, Erdogan remains committed to his economic course. The sluggish relief efforts following devastating earthquakes in the Turkish-Syrian border region earlier this year have also drawn severe criticism toward Erdogan’s government.