SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS IN TURKEY

After processing 99.16% of the votes, the Central Election Commission announced on 15 May 2023 at 1.20 am that Turkey's current president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has obtained 49.36% and his main opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu 44.92% of the votes.

Erdogan had planned an election speech to celebrate his victory but it has been cancelled. From the balcony of the ruling Justice and Development Party headquarters in Ankara, he did though address thousands of supporters.

He said he was leading the election by a clear margin and that there are still many disputes over votes. The Supreme Election Commission needs more time to count the votes, it sounded.

Erdogan is convinced that the Americans manipulated the elections. He has expressed the hope that he will still win in the first round. He also accused the opposition of fooling people with claims that their candidate Kilicdaroglu was leading in the presidential election.

If the ballot results are confirmed, a second round of elections will take place on 28 May 2023, given that no candidate won 50% +1 of the votes. Political watchers have already stated that they expect some of those who voted for Kilicdaroglu now will vote for Erdogan during the second round.

Upon his departure, Erdogan looked tired but calm and poised.