Turkey's leader of 20 years has done it again. Recep Tayyip Erdogan magnanimously told supporters to respect a result that forces a first ever run-off for president. But Erdogan's supporters can cheer: with 49.5% of Sunday's vote, his lead seems all but insurmountable. We ask why predictions underestimated fierce loyalty to Erdogan, particularly in conservative strongholds of the Islamist-rooted AK Party. What do the results say about the direction Turkey seeks?
Erdogan's voters shrugged off skyrocketing inflation, accusations of cronyism corruption – the kind that led to the collapse of buildings in earthquake zones – and the steady jailing of opponents and journalists.
They also stared down an opposition that managed to unite like never before, but its gains in major cities and in parliament were not enough to win a majority. What can Kemal Kilicdoroglu do over the next two weeks to again prove the pollsters wrong?
Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Juliette Laurain and Imen Mellaz.
