Türkiye elections: World leaders congratulate Erdogan on 'historic victory'
President Erdogan wins the Turkish election with 52.16 percent of the vote over opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who received 47.84 percent.
![Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was the first world leader to congratulate Erdogan (Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool) Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was the first world leader to congratulate Erdogan (Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool)](https://cdn-i.pr.trt.com.tr/trtworld/w664/h374/q70/16493824_0-87-3478-1959.jpeg)
Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was the first world leader to congratulate Erdogan (Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool)
More than 64.1 million Turkish citizens were registered to vote, including over 1.92 million who earlier cast their ballots at overseas polling stations.
Nearly 192,000 ballot boxes were set up for voters across Türkiye.
On May 14, no candidate won the required 50 percent in the first round, triggering the presidential runoff, although Erdogan took the lead with 49.52 percent.
On that day, Erdogan’s electoral alliance also won a majority of seats in parliament.
Leaders from around the world have congratulated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his reelection as Türkiye's president in Sunday's runoff vote.
United States
President Joe Biden congratulated Erdogan in a Twitter message.
"Congratulations to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye on his re-election. I look forward to continuing to work together as NATO Allies on bilateral issues and shared global challenges," Biden said.
Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he appreciates Erdogan's contribution to strengthening "friendly" relations between Moscow and Ankara and expressed his readiness to continue "constructive dialogue" on the bilateral, regional and international agenda, the Kremlin said in a statement.
United Kingdom
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also congratulated Erdogan saying: "I look forward to continuing strong collaboration between our countries".
United Nations
"The Secretary-General congratulates President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his reelection as President of the Republic of Türkiye. He looks forward to further strengthening the cooperation between Türkiye and the United Nations," a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.
Hungary
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban praised Erdogan's "unquestionable election victory".
Congratulations to President @RTErdogan on his unquestionable election victory! Tebrikler, Sayın Cumhurbaşkanı! pic.twitter.com/I1IR7g3EWe
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) May 28, 2023
Hungarian President Katalin Novak said she is looking forward to working on strengthening their bilateral partnership.
"Türkiye's stability is crucial for Europe, and it can play an important role in achieving peace in Ukraine," she added on Twitter.
Videos posted on social media also showed celebrations in Syria and Azerbaijan after it Erdogan's victory became clear.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev also congratulated President Erdogan on reelection in a phone call, inviting him to visit Baku in the near future.
Libya
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh said Erdogan's victory shows the renewal of the people's confidence in his successful projects and policies.
Italy
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that together, their two countries could "do more for global growth and stability".
Netherlands
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he wishes Erdogan "every success in the years ahead".
"I look forward to continuing to strengthen Dutch-Turkish relations and working together as friends and allies," he said on Twitter.
Sweden
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said "our common security is future priority".
Brazil
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrated the Turkish president’s reelection, wishing him a "good mandate".
Qatar
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said on Twitter: "My dear brother, congratulations on your victory, and I wish you success in your new term, and that you achieve in it what the brotherly Turkish people aspire to in terms of progress and prosperity".
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed congratulated the Turkish president on his reelection victory, saying he is “looking forward to working together to further enhance the strategic partnership between our two countries".
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar and Prime Minister Unal Ustel separately extended congratulations and stressed the importance of Erdogan's victory for their island nation.
Serbia
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also congratulated Erdogan and the Turkish nation on their election victory.
Uzbekistan
In a phone call with Erdogan, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated the Turkish president.
Georgia
Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili called Erdogan his "great friend" and congratulated him "on his convincing re-election as the leader of Türkiye".
"We are eager to further enhance the bonds of friendship & strategic partnership," he said on Twitter.
Algeria
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was also among the leaders congratulating the Turkish president on his reelection victory.
Iran
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi called Erdogan's re-election a "sign of the continued valuable trust of the Turkish people".
Lebanon
In a phone call, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati congratulated the Turkish president.
Venezuela
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro celebrated the "triumph" of "brother and friend" President Erdogan in Türkiye's runoff election.
Armenia
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Twitter: “Congratulations to President @RTErdogan on his re-election. Looking forward to continuing working together towards full normalisation of relations between our countries.”
Kosovo
Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani also said on social media: "As you continue to lead Türkiye towards new successes, I look forward to working together to build on our excellent cooperation."
"May the partnership between Kosovo and Türkiye continue to grow stronger," she added in Turkish.
Albania
In the Balkans, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Montenegro’s former President Milo Djukanovic also congratulated Erdogan.
Bosnia
Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik congratulated Erdogan's "historical victory" in the country's first-ever presidential run-off.
"Voters again elected you as their leader! This decision of the voters is not important for the Republic of Türkiye only, but for the world!" he said on Twitter.
Zambia
Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema was among the first sub-Saharan African leaders to congratulate Erdogan on his reelection, saying in a tweet: "We look forward to deepening our strategic partnership for greater peace, prosperity and progress of both our countries."
Belarus
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said the result is a sign of the trust of the Turkish people.
Somalia
"Congratulations brotherly and friendly Türkiye," tweeted the office of Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
“I extend heartfelt congratulations to my brother, President @RTErdogan, on his successful re-election!” said Hamza Abdi Barre, Somalia’s prime minister.
“This demonstrates the trust and support for your leadership. We look forward to seeing the bonds between our two brotherly nations grow and our nations prosper.”
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo expressed his "warm and sincere congratulations" to Erdogan, saying bilateral relations between Guinea-Bissau and Türkiye will continue to be strengthened.
Senegal
Senegalese President Macky Sall also sent his congratulations in a tweet, saying: “Warm congratulations to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his brilliant reelection as President of the Republic of Türkiye. I wish him every success in his new mandate".
Chad
Chad's transitional President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno said he was delighted with the re-election of President Erdogan.
Cuba
Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel was also among the world leaders celebrating Erdogan's victory, wishing him success in his duties and reiterating his willingness to continue promoting ties of friendship and cooperation between their countries.
Turkmenistan
Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow also held a phone call with the Turkish president
Oman
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik congratulated Erdogan on his new term and wished him and the Turkish people success, progress and prosperity, and for the friendship and cooperative relations between the two countries to further develop and grow.
Norway
"Norway congratulates Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his reelection as President of #Türkiye. Türkiye is an important friend and partner to Norway and a vital ally in NATO. I look forward to continue to strengthen and deepen our relationship @RTErdogan," Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said on Twitter.
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara also wished Erdogan all the best, saying their two countries will continue their excellent cooperation in the interest of their people.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a cable of congratulations to Erdogan on his reelection.
The Crown Prince extended his best wishes of success to President Erdogan and wished the brotherly people of the Republic of Türkiye further progress and prosperity.
Bahrain
Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa wished Erdogan every success in his presidential duties to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Turkish people for more progress and prosperity.
Canada
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also issued a statement congratulating Erdogan on his new term. "I look forward to continuing to work with President Erdogan to strengthen our countries’ ties as long-standing NATO Allies and make progress on shared priorities. Canada also remains committed to supporting Türkiye as it rebuilds after the devastating earthquake(s) in the region earlier this year," it said.
Malaysia
Early on Monday, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim congratulated President Erdogan on his reelection.
“Türkiye will continue to play (a) constructive role as an impo rtant regional and global player,” Ibrahim said on Twitter.
“Malaysia looks forward to working closely with Türkiye to further elevate our existing excellent bilateral relations,” he added.
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali congratulated the Turkish president on his re-election win in Sunday’s presidential runoff, saying: “I look forward to further strengthening the relations between our two countries.”
India
Prime Minister Narendra Singh Modi also congratulated him, and said: “I am confident that our bilateral ties and cooperation on global issues will continue to grow in the coming times".
Kyrgyzstan
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov said: “Türkiye has shown an example of an open, competitive, and democratic election” in his congratulatory message.
Paraguay
“Our congratulations to the president @RTErdogan for the electoral victory for a new term and to the Turkish people for this democratic day,” also said Marito Abdo, Paraguay’s president.
Argentina
Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez also said: “I wish that we continue working for the benefit of our peoples and that we consolidate co operation in satellites, nuclear medicine, and mining,” and congratulated Erdogan on his election win.
Bolivia
“We salute the popular and democratic will of the brotherly people of the Republic of Türkiye, in the reelection of the president @RTErdogan, to whom we wish success in his mandate and we ratify our ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation,” said Luis Arce, Bolivia’s president, on Twitter.
Ecuador
Guillermo Lasso, Ecuador’s president, said: “Our commitment to continue working together for the well-being of our nations,” in his congratulatory message for Erdogan.
Guatemala
Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei said: “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to @RTErdogan for winning again in the democratic elections in Türkiye. I very much see that the prosperous relations between our countries will continue on the indicated path,” on Twitter.
Australia
“Congratulations to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his re-election. I look forward to further strengthening the longstanding, friendly bilateral ties between Australia and Türkiye,” also said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Kazakhstan
Kazakh President Kassym Jomart Tokayev said: “Historical bonds of friendship and solidarity unite our countries. This comprehensive cooperation strategy will be further developed.”
Indonesia
"Warmest congratulations to my dear brother President Erdogan @RTErdogan of Türkiye on his re-election. Ready to continue & strengthen Indonesia-Türkiye long-standing strategic partnership, for the benefit of our peoples," said Joko Widodo, the president of Indonesia said.