Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu in tight presidential elections

A run-off between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his main rival, opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, is yet to take place A tight electoral race in Türkiyesaid the country’s election chief on Monday.

Ahmet Yener, head of Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council, said the presidential race would go to a second round on May 28, as Erdogan failed to secure an outright victory.

Türkiye election results: what is the latest?

As the unofficial count drew to a close, support for Erdogan, who has ruled Turkey for 20 years with an increasingly authoritarian grip, has dipped below the majority required for him to win re-election outright. Erdoğan won 49.5% of the vote, while Kilicdaroglu received 44.8%, according to the The state-run Anadolu News Agency.

A candidate needs to get 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff.

Why Turkey’s presidential vote reverberates beyond its borders

Voters in Turkey were largely concerned about domestic issues such as the economy, civil rights and the February earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people. But Western countries and Investors are also waiting for the result. Turkey’s main benchmark stock index fell more than 6% In early trading on Monday as investors digested the uncertain election results, before recovering to trade down about 2.5%.

The election could determine whether a NATO ally that straddles Europe and Asia but borders Syria and Iran remains under Erdogan’s control. He raised the country’s international standing, but also eroded its democratic institutions and implemented unorthodox economic policies that rocked the country’s economy. Türkiye is one of the world’s largest jailers of journalists. Kilicdaroglu promised to restore stability to the Turkish economy, promote better relations with the United States and other Western allies, and return the country to a more democratic path. It is also likely to put the Muslim-majority country on a more secular path compared to Erdogan.

Türkiye and Syria earthquake:Some areas will be ‘uninhabitable for years’

Key datesMarch of Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Erdogan vs. Kilicdaroglu: Who has the advantage?

Both sides expressed confidence in their ability to win the run-off.

“If our nation opts for a second round, that is also welcome,” Erdogan, 69, said early Monday, noting that the votes of Turkish citizens living abroad still needed to be counted. He received 60% of the overseas vote in 2018.

Jeff Rogers

“Travel specialist. Typical social media scholar. Friend of animals everywhere. Freelance zombie ninja. Twitter buff.”

Taiwan is preparing to face strong Typhoon Kung-ri

Israel orders residents of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon, to evacuate

Zelensky: North Korean forces are pushing the war with Russia “beyond the borders”

Bank of Japan decision, China PMI, Samsung earnings

The Gen Z pop star launched Harris’ campaign. Puerto Rican musicians might just get it over the finish line

Scientists confirm that monkeys do not have time to write Shakespeare: ScienceAlert

Winning the Carabao Cup does not allow Manchester United players off the hook