Erdogan set to assume sweeping powers after landmark Turkish election win

Erdogan set to assume sweeping powers after landmark Turkish election win

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics for the past 15 years, is set to extend his rule and take on sweeping new powers after winning landmark presidential and parliamentary elections.

Turkey’s High Electoral Board declared Mr Erdogan, 64, the winner of Sunday’s polls, which usher in a new executive presidential system which was approved in a referendum last year.

Under the system, the office of the prime minister is eliminated and executive powers are transferred to the president, who can rule with only limited checks and balances.

His win could deepen Turkey’s rift with Western allies, who are already concerned by setbacks in democracy and human rights as well as Turkey’s closer ties with Russia.

However, Turkey’s currency, the lira, rallied on Monday over Mr Erdogan’s victory, which allows the country to avoid instability in the short-term.

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Mr Erdogan claimed victory on Sunday (Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool)

He also pledged a more “determined” fight against outlawed Kurdish rebels and alleged members of a movement led by US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom he accuses of orchestrating a 2016 failed coup against his government. Mr Gulen denies any involvement.

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Mr Erdogan’s win consolidates his grip on power (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

“We will go after terror organisations with stronger determination.”

Under the new system, Mr Erdogan will appoint ministers, vice presidents and high-level bureaucrats, issue decrees, prepare the budget and decide on security policies.

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Large crowds of opposition supporters gathered in Istanbul on Saturday (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

Mr Erdogan’s AKP fell short of a parliamentary majority but a better-than-expected performance by its nationalist ally should allow the party to control the 600-seat legislature.

Mr Ince, who complained of unfair elections, accepted Mr Erdogan’s victory during a news conference on Monday.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan UK visit
Mr Erdogan visited the UK in May (PA)

The politician, who led a robust campaign against Mr Erdogan, called on him to end his divisive policies.

“Be the president of 81 million (Turks), embrace everyone,” he said. “That’s what I would have done if I had won.”

The 54-year-old politician criticised Turkey’s new system, saying: “Turkey has cut off its ties with democratic values… (Turkey) has transitioned to a one-man regime in the fullest sense.”

The pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party, whose presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtas was forced to campaign from inside prison, received the more than the 10% of votes required to win seats in parliament, spilling thousands of its supporters into the streets in celebration.

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