Erdogan reelected to Turkish presidency in snap election

After already have served as the anatolian country’s leader for a decade and a half, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has scored another victory. His new term will witness expanded presidential powers above those which he has wielded in the past, with major governmental changes implemented following a failed 2016 coup. These elections were snap elections, held a year and half early, and Erdogan received a 52.5% ballot support from an 88% voter turnout. Erdogan’s party also received majority support in parliamentary elections, providing Erdogan with a solid grasp on the nation’s political mechanisms.

Anadolu Agency covers his victory speech:

Democracy is the winner of Sunday’s presidential and parliamentary elections, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said early Monday.

Addressing the nation from the balcony of Justice and Development (AK) Party headquarters in capital Ankara after his election victory, Erdogan said every one of the 81 million Turkish citizens is a winner.

“Winners of June 24 elections are Turkey, Turkish nation, sufferers of our region and all oppressed in the world,” he said.

He also thanked Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader, members and voters.

“I would like to express my gratitude to my people, my brothers and sisters who put their trust in me, my alliance and my party,” he said.

Erdogan pointed out the benefits of forming alliances in the elections. “As you see, this [alliance] has become beneficial both for other [political] parties and our country.”

Earlier on Sunday, Erdogan declared his success in Turkey’s historic presidential and parliamentary elections.

AK Party is also leading in parliamentary elections. Along with the MHP, the AK Party’s election ally, the People’s Alliance has won majority of the votes so far.

The president said he received the citizens’ message in the polls. “In this term, we will be before our nation and make up for our shortcomings.

“Starting from tomorrow, we will be in a rush trying to deliver on promises that we have made to our nation.”

He also said his government would confront terror groups more decisively. “We will increase our country’s international reputation,” he added.

“Immediately after the oath-taking ceremony, we will start implementing our program by identifying our bureaucrats,” Erdogan said, vowing to work day and night as “we have no single moment to lose.”

“Turkey has decided to take the side of growth, development, investment, enrichment and a reputable, honorable and influential country in all areas in the world,” Erdogan said.

Erdogan here declares his electoral win as a victory for democracy, in a nation which is anything but democratic in its perspective towards minorities. Erdogan declares that he was going to continue battling terrorism, even though he initially backed terrorist groups in Syria. But Erdogan is in a strategically significant position geographically, and his nation’s importance both for Europe and the Middle East is not to be underestimated as Turkey inserts itself as a major player in the Syrian conflict and acts as a middle man for a chunk of the energy supplies to Europe via a new pipeline from Azerbaijan.