TURKEY’S long-standing leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan is on course to secure another five-year term and is set to triumph in the runoff election.
The news of him bagging the lead and possibly achieving his third decade of rule was met by reports of gunfire in the capital of Istanbul.
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But the President’s supporters drowned out the displeasure in anticipation of victory with chants of Allahu Akbar, or God is Greatest.
Erdogan emerged from the AK Party headquarters to address the crowds and thank voters by singing in celebration.
He praised “each and every member of the nation who once again conveyed to us responsibility for governing Turkey”.
The President added: “God willing we will be worthy of your trust as we have been for the last 21 years.”
With around 97 per cent of the ballot boxes counted, he is said to have scored 52.1 per cent of the nailbiting vote.
His leading opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu reportedly trailed closely behind with 47.9 per cent.
Turkey has been gripped by its tightest election campaign in nearly a decade as the two rivals both failed to reach the 50 per cent threshold necessary to win outright.
A run-off vote was then scheduled for May 28, in which Erdogan seems to have come out on top.
His challenger Kilicdaroglu had hoped to defeat the controversial ruler and halt his increasingly authoritarian two-decade reign.
The historic election was regarded as a possible turning point for Turks as they struggle with soaring inflation while recovering from horror twin earthquakes.
Erdogan’s relationship with Putin has also raised fears as Nato member Turkey has refused to acknowledge Western sanctions against Russia.
The uncertainty around the result destabilised the national economy, with the Lira falling against the Dollar and the central bank’s currency and gold reserves plunging by £17 billion in the run-up to the election.
Congratulations from world leaders for Erdogan have flooded in despite the final results not yet being announced.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani jubilantly wished the hardline leader “success for his new term” in a tweet.
He added: “My dear brother Recep Tayyip Erdogan, congratulations on your victory.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also applauded Erdogan on “his unquestionable election victory” in an online post.
A spokesperson for the ruling AK Party said the ballots show there is still strong support for Erdogan among the Turkish people.
