Turkey’s Erdogan Defies Odds to Win Presidential Election

Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins Sunday's Turkish Presidential Election with 52.13%, defying the odds amid a severe economic crisis and declining popularity of his Justice and Development Party (AKP). Erdogan's political brand blends Islamism and nationalism.

May 29, 2023 . 1:09 AM

1 min read

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins Sunday’s runoff presidential election with 52.13% of the votes.
Erdogan's personal appeal transcends the declining popularity of his own Justice and Development Party (AKP), which is losing support amid a severe economic crisis.
Erdogan's re-election defied the odds as crises piled up in the months leading up to the election, including sky-high inflation and cataclysmic earthquakes in February.
He is the country’s longest-serving leader, having served as both prime minister and president since 2003.
Erdogan's political brand blends Islamism and nationalism and he has proved the enduring appeal of this political brand to millions of his supporters within Turkey.