Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed in his second victory speech (victory speech), delivered from the balcony of the presidential complex in the capital Ankara, in front of approximately 350,000 gathered supporters, that it is time to unite and work together to build national dreams, production, and achievements. He added, "We gained strength for Turkey over 21 years, thanks to you," noting: "It is time to announce the centenary of Turkey, which we achieved on Victory Day." He continued, "Inflation will decrease soon, and we will address the aftereffects of the earthquake. A decade has passed, and we have not asked for any loans from the International Monetary Fund while the People's Party calls for loans. What I want to say is that we will not allow anyone to interfere in the internal politics of our country."
He stated: "We have helped about 600,000 people return voluntarily to Syria. We have diligently worked to extract Turkish oil and gas, and we cooperate with Qatar in a housing project to ensure the return of one million Syrian refugees. We will increase our economic cooperation with Russia and will develop the defense industries and the tourism and service sectors because stability in the economy builds trust."
**First Speech**
In his first appearance after the victory, from in front of his home in Istanbul, aboard a bus, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan began his speech by sharing a motivational song with his audience, thanking his supporters who gathered in large numbers. He said, "We started the march and will continue it. We are lovers of Istanbul; we began our journey with it and will continue with it. Those who serve the people are never defeated. I promise to be and remain worthy of your trust." He stated, "The opposition Republican People's Party will hold Kilicdaroglu responsible for the poor performance." He addressed his rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu with a "Bye Bye Kemal." He continued: "Today, Turkey and 85 million Turks are the winners. We will open the doors to the century of Turkey. We have 2024 ahead, and we will win the local elections." He added: "The Good Party does not support homosexuality," indicating that he was on his way to Ankara to deliver the balcony speech, or victory speech, where he gives the official word after the win.
**By the Numbers**
Erdogan won the presidency of Turkey after a strong and close competition with the opposition candidate Kilicdaroglu in the second round of voting. Thus, Erdogan will govern Turkey for the next 5 years, ending in 2028, making his total time in power 25 years once that term concludes. Erdogan received 52.14% of the votes after counting 100% of the ballot boxes, according to the Anadolu Agency, while his rival, opposition coalition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, received 46.86%.
**Who is Recep Tayyip Erdogan?**
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who won a new presidential term, was born in the Kasimpasa neighborhood of Istanbul, and initially aspired to be a professional football player, a sport he played briefly before entering politics. He learned the politics of the Islamic movement led by Necmettin Erbakan and emerged when he was elected Mayor of Istanbul in 1994. In 1998, he was sentenced to prison for reciting a religious poem, which garnered sympathy for him within Turkish society. After the Justice and Development Party, which he helped establish, won the elections in 2002, he became Prime Minister the following year and remained in that position until 2014, when he became Turkey's first president elected by direct public voting.
**Hagia Sophia**
In celebration of the results of the Turkish presidential elections, supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan celebrated his victory inside the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul.
**Candidate Oğan**
The losing presidential candidate Sinan Oğan stated: "I would like to express my gratitude to all citizens who stood by us; the winners are the Turkish nationalists, Kemalists, the Turkish people, and the Turkish world, while the losers are the culture of extrajudicial killings, the entities tied to terrorism, and those who trust them."
**Future Party**
Future Party leader Ahmet Davutoglu made statements following President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's victory announcement. He tweeted: "I hope the results are beneficial... We will conduct a comprehensive evaluation after the Election Authority announces its final results." He added: "I congratulate our citizens who showed high participation in the elections with great democratic maturity."
**Congratulations on the Victory**
After Turkish state television announced Recep Tayyip Erdogan's victory for a third term, congratulatory messages poured in, starting with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who congratulated him: "Dear brother Recep Tayyip Erdogan, congratulations on your victory, and I wish you success in your new term, hoping you will achieve what the Turkish brotherly people aspire to in terms of progress and prosperity, and further development in our strong ties."
Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote: "Your victory is clear evidence of the Turkish people's support for your independent foreign policy." The Kremlin expressed appreciation for Erdogan's contribution to strengthening relations between Russia and Turkey. French President Emmanuel Macron commented: "There are significant challenges that France and Turkey will overcome together." U.S. President Joe Biden tweeted: "Congratulations to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his re-election. I look forward to continuing to work together as NATO allies on bilateral issues and shared global challenges." Former U.S. President Donald Trump described Erdogan's win as "a great and well-deserved victory." Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva congratulated his Turkish counterpart on his re-election, wishing him a "good term with much work" for the Turkish people. He stated that Erdogan can "rely on Brazil's partnership in international cooperation for peace, fighting poverty, and development worldwide." German Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed that "Germany and Turkey are close partners and allies." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope for "strengthening" relations between the two countries and "cooperation for the security and stability" of Europe.
European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his victory. Michel tweeted: "Congratulations to you, Erdogan, on your re-election as president of Turkey. I look forward to working with you again to deepen the bonds between the European Union and Turkey in the coming years."
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Turkish President Erdogan on his re-election. Celebrations erupted in Lebanon following President Erdogan's victory, especially in Beirut and northern Lebanon. The caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati also called Erdogan to congratulate him.
Five injured were reported in northern Syria due to random gunfire celebrating Erdogan's victory. The elected Turkish president also received congratulations from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as well as Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi, who noted: "Our relationship with Turkey in the upcoming phase will continue based on good neighborliness and common interests."
The "Turkish Friendship" group in the Jordanian Senate congratulated Erdogan on his victory and believed that Turkey has taught the world a lesson in democracy. UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a congratulatory message to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Similar congratulatory messages were also sent to President Erdogan from Deputy Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court.
Egyptian Presidential spokesman Ahmed Fahmy stated that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi sent a letter to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the occasion of his election victory. Sudan's Sovereignty Council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan congratulated Erdogan, stating: "We look forward to cooperating with Turkey to develop bilateral relations." Sudan's Rapid Support Forces also congratulated Erdogan and expressed gratitude for his continued support for the country. Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammad Shia' al-Sudani congratulated Turkish President Erdogan on his re-election, wishing for progress and prosperity in Iraqi-Turkish relations. Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi tweeted: "Congratulations to the Turkish people, our neighbor and friend, for the success of the democratic electoral process, and to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his re-election as President of the Republic of Turkey. We look forward to strengthening relations and cooperation between our two countries in several fields, wishing Turkey prosperity, development, and more flourishing."
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune congratulated Turkish President Erdogan on his re-election. In a statement on Facebook, he noted: "Your election for another term at the helm of the sisterly Republic of Turkey truly reflects the popular support for your wise policies and absolute support for your leadership in the sustainable development process and in overcoming significant internal, regional, and international challenges."
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud congratulated Erdogan in Turkish on Twitter: "Congratulations to my brother and friend President Erdogan." A spokesman for the Taliban stated that the Afghan government congratulated Erdogan on his election victory. For the first time, Erdogan’s supporters were allowed into the courtyard of the presidential complex in Ankara.
