ERDOGAN’S IRON GRIP ON POWER GROWING STRONGER

TURKISH President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won tightly contested presidential polls, the election authority said yesterday, extending his 15-year grip on power as the opposition complained bitterly about the conduct of the vote count.

Turkish voters had for the first time cast ballots for both president and parliament in the snap elections, with Mr Erdogan looking for a first-round knockout and an overall majority for his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

The stakes were particularly high as the new president will be the first to enjoy enhanced powers, without even a prime minister, under a new constitution agreed in a 2017 referendum backed by Mr Erdogan but which opponents say grants autocratic powers.

Mr Erdogan defeated his nearest rival Muharrem Ince with an “absolute majority” of more than half the vote without needing a second round.

Celebrations erupted outside Mr Erdogan’s residence in Istanbul and AKP headquarters in Ankara.

Picture: GETTY IMAGES Supporters of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (inset) listen to their leader in front of the AKP headquarters in Ankara after his poll win.