US media widely covers Turkish President Erdogan's reelection

29 May 2023 02:08pm

This handout photograph taken and released by the Turkish Presidency Press Office on May 28, 2023 shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressing supporters gathered outside his residence following his victory in Turkish presidential election at Kisikli district in Istanbul. The head of Turkey's election commission on May 28, 2023 declared President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the winner of a historic runoff vote that will extend his 20-year rule until 2028. (Photo by MURAT CETIN MUHURDAR / TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / AFP)

WASHINGTON, US - Türkey's presidential runoff on Sunday and the reelection of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made major headlines in US media.

American news outlets closely monitored the vote and prominently featured reports on the election.

CNN provided instant coverage throughout the election, highlighting vibrant celebrations that lasted until late at night in the country and drawing attention to the significant interest in Erdogan's victory speech in the capital Ankara, reported Anadolu Agency.

The New York Times, one of the US' leading dailies, dedicated a separate page on its website to cover the elections, providing ongoing updates on developments.

Erdogan has been reelected Türkey's president in runoff elections, the chairman of the country's Supreme Election Council (YSK) said Sunday.

Speaking to reporters in the capital Ankara, YSK head Ahmet Yener said Erdogan won Türkey's presidency over opposition challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu in the second-round runoff vote.

According to unofficial results, the Turkish president won the race with 52.14%, while Kilicdaroglu got 47.86 per cent of the vote, he said, adding that 99.43 per cent of the ballot boxes have been opened so far.

"President Erdogan Wins Re-Election After Biggest Challenge Yet," The Times wrote in its headline, describing Erdogan as Türkey's "paramount politician for 20 years."

In an article discussing Türkey's foreign policy, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported: "The country’s longest-serving leader beat his main challenger in a runoff vote."

It also carried quotes from the former US ambassador to Türkey, James Jeffrey, who called Erdogan "calm when pressured," adding that "he knows what he's doing, and projects that he is in charge.

"That is appealing to most electorates, and it's particularly appealing to the Turkish electorate," Jeffrey added, according to the article.

The Washington Post also reported Erdogan's reelection Sunday, noting that the incumbent president survived "a challenge from a candidate backed by a united opposition movement."

Politico wrote, "Turkey’s Erdogan wins again," in its headline, saying the president "extends his 20 years in power, vowing to build 'Turkey's century'."

The newspaper said Erdogan was "in a powerful position to influence not only the future direction of democracy in the 85 million strong country but also to shape politics in the region and beyond". - BERNAMA-ANADOLU