Latest Update on the Turkish Election 2023: What We Know So Far

Turkey election: Runoff likely as Erdogan's share of votes falls below 50%

Turkey held a crucial presidential and parliamentary election on 14 May 2023, which could determine the future of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party).

According to preliminary unofficial results, with more than 98 percent of the ballot boxes opened, Erdogan's share of votes was just below 50 percent, falling short of the majority needed to win in the first round. His main rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), was close behind with about 45 percent of the votes. The third candidate, Sinan Ogan, an independent nationalist, received about 5 percent of the votes.

This means that a second round runoff between Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu is likely to take place on 28 May 2023, unless the final results change significantly.

The election was seen as a major test for Erdogan, who has been in power for 20 years, nine as president. He faced a strong challenge from Kilicdaroglu, who ran as a unity candidate for the six-party Nation Alliance, which included the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). Erdogan's AK Party formed a coalition with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) under the People's Alliance banner.

The election also marked the first time that Turkey used a new electoral system that lowered the threshold for parties to enter parliament from 10 percent to 7 percent and changed the way seats are distributed among member parties of an alliance. The new system was expected to benefit smaller parties and increase representation in parliament.

The election campaign was dominated by issues such as the economy, which has been hit by inflation, unemployment and currency depreciation; the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 100,000 lives in Turkey; and the earthquake damage in several provinces that left thousands homeless.

Erdogan promised to deliver stability, security and prosperity to Turkey if re-elected, while Kilicdaroglu pledged to restore democracy, human rights and social justice. Both candidates also vowed to improve relations with Turkey's neighbors and allies.

The turnout for the election was high, at about 85 percent, reflecting the high stakes and polarized atmosphere in Turkey. The election was generally peaceful, although there were some reports of irregularities and violence in some areas.

The final results are expected to be announced by the Supreme Electoral Council within 10 days. The new president and parliament will take office on 12 July 2023.

Who got elected in Turkey in 2023?

Turkish election 2023 is not yet decided, as the presidential race between Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kemal Kilicdaroglu appears likely to result in a runoff in two weeks' time. The final results are expected to be announced by the Supreme Electoral Council within 10 days. The new president and parliament will take office on 12 July 2023.

Turkey 2023 was held on the same day as the presidential election, 14 May 2023. The election was contested by several parties and alliances, with the main ones being the People's Alliance (AK Party and MHP), the Nation Alliance (CHP and others), and the Ancestral Alliance (ATA and others).

The election also used a new electoral system that lowered the threshold for parties to enter parliament from 10 percent to 7 percent and changed the way seats are distributed among member parties of an alliance.

The final results are not yet announced, but according to preliminary unofficial results, the People's Alliance had about 49 percent of the votes, while the Nation Alliance had about 35 percent, with potentially another 10 percentage points if adding votes from the pro-Kurdish HDP and other socialist parties. The new parliament will have 600 members and will take office on 12 July 2023.