Turkey voted in key presidential and legislative elections on Sunday that could either extend President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's two-decade grip on power or put the nation on a more liberal, secular course. According to state-run news agency Anadolu, turnout reached 88.47 percent in what has effectively turned into a referendum on Turkey's longest-serving leader and his Islamic conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP). Follow our blog to see how events unfolded. All times are Paris time (GMT+1).
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Turkey appears headed for a runoff presidential election after neither Tayyip Erdogan nor rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu cleared the 50% threshold to win outright on Sunday. According to Turkey's state-owned news agency Anadolu, Erdogan led with 49.86% and Kilicdaroglu had 44.38% with almost 91% of ballot boxes counted.
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Speaking to supporters in Ankara, Erdogan, said he still hoped to win Sunday’s vote, but would accept a second round if necessary. “We don’t yet know if the elections ended in the first round. ... If our nation has chosen for a second round, that is also welcome,” he said.
Kilicdaroglu said early on Monday that he would accept the people's decision for a second round of voting. "If our nation says second round, we will absolutely win in the second round," he told reporters.
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While Erdogan is seeking a third term that would extend his two decades in power, six opposition parties have united behind Kilicdaroglu, hoping the centre-left civil servant has a chance of unseating the Turkish strongman. Far-right challenger Sinan Ogan is backed by four nationalist parties.
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Ahead of the vote, opposition hopes were high amid widespread anger over inflation near 50 percent and frustration over delayed relief efforts following February’s devastating earthquakes, but Erdogan has a strong support base in many parts of the country.
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The elections are being watched intently in Western capitals, the Middle East and Moscow as well as by other NATO members. Erdogan has become one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest allies while drifting away from Western alliances.
Catch up on the results and reactions to today's vote on the FRANCE 24 live blog below. In case the live blog does not appear, click here.
