The Kremlin said on Monday that relations between Moscow and Ankara will continue to deepen regardless of who wins Turkey’s presidential election, which is headed for an unprecedented runoff following Sunday’s vote.
“We are following the news from Turkey with great attention and interest. We will respect the choice of the Turkish people. But in any case, we hope that our cooperation will continue, deepen and develop,” said Russian presidency spokesman Dmitry . Peskov.
“We are united with Turkey in a wide range of mutually beneficial areas of cooperation, be it energy, tourism, trade, agriculture, air transport,” he said.
Historically complicated relations between Turkey and Russia have strengthened in recent years under the leadership of Erdogan and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Last week, Kiliçdaroglu accused Russia of interfering in the election campaign and accused the country of being behind the publication of manipulated images that led another opposition candidate to withdraw shortly before the vote.
Moscow, regularly accused of electoral influence by Western countries, has denied any interference in Turkey.
According to data released today by Turkey Election Commission President Ahmet Yener, with 99.4% of the vote counted, the outgoing head of state, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has 49.4% of the vote against 45% of the opposition candidate, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
It’s not yet time to release final figures, but Turkey’s presidential election is heading for a second round, with Erdogan leading but just short of the votes needed for an outright majority victory, though not completely out of the question.
The third candidate, nationalist Sinan Ogan, has so far won 5.2% of the vote.
In the early hours of today, Erdogan, aged 69, told supporters he could still win in the first round, but stressed that he would respect the decision if a second round were held on the 28th of this month.
Kilicdaroglu, 74, was hoping for a second round victory.
“We will definitely win the second round and bring democracy,” said Kilicdaroglu.
The election results so far indicate that the ruling Justice and Development Party could retain a majority in the 600-seat parliament.
The Assembly lost much of its legislative power following a 2017 referendum promoted by Erdogan that transformed the country’s governing system into a strengthened presidency.
Source: DN
