SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — Turkey’s presidential election is headed to a runoff, with incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan and opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu failing to secure a majority in the first round of voting.
With 99% of the votes counted, Erdogan had 49.49% of the vote, while Kilicdaroglu had 44.79%. The third-place candidate, Sinan Ogan, received 5.72% of the vote.
Under Turkish law, a runoff election will be held on May 28 if no candidate receives a majority of the vote in the first round.
Erdogan, who has been in power for 20 years, is seeking a third term in office. He has been a polarizing figure during his time in power, with supporters praising his economic policies and his strong stance on national security. However, he has also been criticized for his authoritarian tendencies and his handling of the economy.
Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the Republican People’s Party, is hoping to end Erdogan’s rule. He has promised to improve the economy and to restore democracy to Turkey.
The runoff election is expected to be close, with both candidates having a chance of victory. The outcome of the election will have a significant impact on Turkey’s future.
In a statement, Erdogan said that he was “prepared to face a runoff” and that he was confident that he would win. Kilicdaroglu also said that he was ready for a runoff and that he was “determined to win.”
The runoff election is likely to be a closely watched event, with the outcome having a significant impact on Turkey’s future.
