World leaders congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on winning re-election in a historic run-off, posing the biggest challenge to his 20-year rule.
Erdogan won the Turkish presidency with 52.14 percent of the vote, the head of the Supreme Election Council, Ahmet Yener, said on Sunday, officially announcing the election results.
With 99.43 percent of ballot boxes open, Erdogan’s rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu received 47.86 percent of the vote, Yener said. With more than 2 million votes between the candidates, the remaining uncounted votes would not change the result, he added.
The elections, in which more than 64 million Turks, both domestic and foreign, are entitled to vote, come against the backdrop of a cost of living crisis that saw inflation peak at 85 percent in October and an earthquake in February that killed more than 50,000 people.
Erdogan, 69, came to power in 2003, initially as prime minister, with a vision for further development, promising to expand improvements made by his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government.
The longest-serving leader of NATO member Turkey is being tested like never before in what is widely seen as the most important election in the country’s 100-year history as a post-Ottoman republic.
Kilicdaroglu, who did not formally admit defeat, said: “My real sadness is the hardship that awaits this country.”
Here are some responses from other countries and organizations:
United Nations
UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Erdogan on his re-election as president.
“He looks forward to further strengthening cooperation between Turkey and the United Nations,” spokesman Stephen Dujarric said in a statement.
U.S.
U.S. President Joe Biden and top diplomat Anthony Blinken congratulated Erdogan.
“I look forward to continuing to work together as a NATO ally on bilateral issues and shared global challenges,” Biden said in a tweet.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called Turkey a “value @NATO ally and partner.”
“I look forward to our continued cooperation with the government chosen by the Turkish people,” he said.
Blinken also praised Sunday’s high turnout and the country’s “long tradition of democracy.”
Congratulations to President Erdogan on his re-election and to the high turnout of Turkish voters, reflecting a long democratic tradition. Türkiye is a valuable @NATO Allies and partners. I look forward to our continued cooperation with the government chosen by the Turkish people.
— Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 28, 2023
Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Erdogan’s victory proved the Turkish people appreciated his “selfless work” and independent foreign policy.
“The victory in the election is the natural result of your selfless work as the head of the Turkish Republic and is a clear proof that the Turkish people support your efforts to strengthen the country’s sovereignty and pursue an independent foreign policy,” Putin said in a message. According to the Kremlin, giving Erdogan.
Putin said: “We highly appreciate your personal contribution to strengthening Russia-Turkey friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.”
NATO
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also congratulated Erdogan on Twitter.
“Congratulations to President (Erdogan) on his re-election. I look forward to continuing our cooperation and preparing for the NATO summit in July,” he tweeted.
Qatar
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani wishes Erdogan success in his new term.
أخي العcreيò رووطيب أردوغان مبارك لكم الفوò، وتمنى لك التوفيوي ولايتك الو ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________ ينا القوي٩ مòيداً من التطور والنماء.
— تميم بن حمد (@TamimBinHamad) May 28, 2023
Translation: My dear brother Recep Tayyip Erdogan, congratulations on your victory. I wish you success in your new term and hope that through it you will achieve what the Turkish people aspire to in terms of progress and prosperity, as well as the progress and growth of our strong bilateral relationship. relation.
Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Erdogan on the victory and said he wanted to “strengthen the strategic partnership for the benefit of our two countries and strengthen cooperation to promote security and stability in Europe”.
Erdogan’s government bought a Russian missile defense system, prompting the U.S. to expel Turkey from the U.S.-led fighter jet program. But Ankara also helped broker a key agreement that allowed Ukrainian grain to be shipped and averted a global food crisis.
Germany
Congratulating Erdogan, Prime Minister Olaf Schulz noted how “intensely intertwined” the peoples and economies of the two countries are, adding that “we want to advance our common agenda together with renewed momentum!”
Germany and Turkey are close partners and allies, and our people and economies are closely linked. Congratulations to President Erdogan – together we hope to advance our common agenda with renewed momentum!
– German Federal Chancellor Olaf Schulz (@Bundeskanzler) May 28, 2023
Saudi Arabia
The ruler, King Salman, congratulated Erdogan on his victory in the presidential election, state news agencies reported.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron said France and Turkey “will continue to move forward”.
La France et la Turquie ont d’imenses défis à relever ensemble. Retour de la paix en Europe, avenir de notre Alliance euro-atlantique, mer Méditerranée. Avec le President Erdogan, que je félicite pour sa réélection, nous continue à avancer.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 28, 2023
“France and Turkey face great challenges together. The return of peace in Europe, the future of our Euro-Atlantic alliance, the Mediterranean. I congratulate President Erdogan on his re-election and we will continue to move forward,” Macron tweeted road.
European Union
European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Erdogan on his victory in Sunday’s runoff election.
“Congratulations @RTErdogan on being re-elected as President of Turkey. I look forward to working with you again in the coming years to deepen EU & trade relations,” Michelle tweeted.
Congratulations @RT Erdogan Congratulations on your re-election as President of Türkiye.
I look forward to working with you again and deepening the 🇪🇺-🇹🇷 relationship in the years to come.
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) May 28, 2023
Von der Leyen also tweeted his congratulations.
“I look forward to continuing to build the EU-Turkey relationship. It is strategically important for both the EU and Turkey to work on this relationship for the benefit of our people,” she said in a tweet.
I congratulate @RT Erdogan About winning elections.
I look forward to continuing to build the EU-Turkey relationship.
It is strategically important for both the EU and Turkey to work to advance this relationship in the interest of our people.
— Ursula Vonderleyen (@vonderleyen) May 28, 2023
U.K.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he looked forward to continued “strong cooperation” between Britain and Turkey, including “as NATO allies in addressing security threats”.
Congratulations @RT Erdogan. As a NATO ally, I look forward to continuing the strong cooperation between our two countries, from growing trade to addressing security threats.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) May 28, 2023
armenia
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he was looking forward to working towards “full normalization” between the two countries.
congratulations to the president @RT Erdogan about his re-election. Look forward to continuing to work together to achieve the full normalization of relations between our two countries.
— Nikol Pashinyan (@NikolPashinyan) May 28, 2023
Sweden
Chancellor Ulf Christensen tweeted his congratulations, stressing that the security of both countries “is the number one priority going forward”.
Erdogan’s government rejected Sweden’s bid to join NATO after accusing Stockholm of providing a safe haven for members of Syria’s Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Democratic Union Party (PYD), which Ankara considers “terrorist” groups .
Congratulations @RT Erdogan About your re-election. Our common security is a priority for the future.
— SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) May 28, 2023
Israel
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was “confident” that he and Erdogan “will continue to work together to strengthen and expand the good relations between the two countries”.
— Office of the President of Israel (@IsraelPresident) May 28, 2023
Libya
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah described Erdogan’s “election victory” as a renewed confidence among Turkish people in the president’s successful programs and policies.
Dbeibah’s government of national unity in Tripoli is backed by Turkey against a rival government in the east.
Hungary
Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán hails Erdogan’s “unquestionable electoral victory!”
congratulations to the president @RT Erdogan In his unquestionable electoral victory! Tebrikler, Sayın Cumhurbaşkanı! pic.twitter.com/I1IR7g3EWe
— Viktor Orban (@PM_ViktorOrban) May 28, 2023
Palestine
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Steyer hailed Erdogan and the Turkish people for an “election victory”.
Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’s political office, said: “I congratulate President Erdogan on his victory [Turkish] civilized attitude of the people.We look forward to [their] Support our cause and our Jerusalem. “
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory message to Erdogan and invited him to visit Baku.
Iran
Iranian President Ibrahim Raisy called Erdogan’s re-election “a sign of the continuing precious trust of the Turkish people”.
“The next phase of our relationship with Turkey will continue on the basis of good neighborliness and mutual interests,” he added.
Sudan
General Abdel Fattah Burhan, the military commander leading Sudan’s army against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, congratulated Erdogan on winning a new term.
Serbia
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic congratulated Erdogan and the Turkish people on their “election victory”.
Pakistan
Pakistani Prime Minister Sheikh Baz Sharif said on Twitter that Erdogan’s re-election was “historic”.
“He has been a pillar of oppressed Muslims and a fervent voice for their inalienable rights,” he said.
Heartiest congratulations my dear brother HE President @RT Erdogan Historic re-election as President of the Republic of Turkey. He is one of the few world leaders whose politics are based on public service. He has been a pillar of oppressed Muslims and…
— Sheikh Baz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 28, 2023
Venezuela
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said he celebrated the “victory” of “brother and friend” Erdogan.
united arab emirates
UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was among leaders in the Middle East congratulating Erdogan, who wields Turkish influence in the Middle East power, and sometimes military power.
Brazil
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wished Erdogan “a lot of work” for the Turkish people.
Erdogan could “count on Brazil’s partnership for global peace cooperation, poverty eradication and world development,” Lula wrote on Twitter.
Afghanistan
“I congratulate President Erdogan on winning the Turkish election and being elected president of Turkey,” said caretaker prime minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir.
Malta
“We sincerely congratulate President Erdogan on this important victory,” said Maltese Foreign Minister Ian Borg.
Algeria
Algerian President Abdelmajid Teboun congratulated Erdogan on winning a new term.
