Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the man with future of Turkey in his hands
Prime minister wins nation's first direct presidential election, sparking fears that changing the ceremonial role will lead to an authoritarian rule
Turkey's ruling party began deliberations on the shape of the next government yesterday after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan secured his place in history by winning the nation's first direct presidential election.
Erdogan's victory in Sunday's vote takes him a step closer to the executive presidency he covets. But it is an outcome which his opponents fear will herald an increasingly authoritarian rule.
Turkey’s next premier will govern in Mr Erdogan’s shadow
In the coming weeks, Erdogan will for the last time chair meetings of the ruling AK Party he founded and oversee the selection of a new party leader, likely to be a staunch loyalist and his future prime minister.
He will be inaugurated on August 28.
"Today is a new day, a milestone for Turkey, the birthday of Turkey, of its rebirth from the ashes," Erdogan, 60, told thousands of supporters from the balcony of the AK Party headquarters in Ankara.
Supporters honking car horns and waving flags took to the streets in Ankara after results on Turkish television said Erdogan, the prime minister for more than a decade, had won 52 per cent of the vote. It was a narrower margin of victory than polls had suggested but still 13 points more than his closest rival, and comfortably enough to avoid the need for a second round run-off.
The chairman of the High Election Board confirmed Erdogan had a majority, with more than 99 per cent of votes counted, and said full provisional figures would be released later.