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Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been in power as prime minister and president in Turkey for 20 years. Now he won the presidential election again and recorded his record as an undefeated politician. Photo/REUTERS
ANKARA – Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been in power as prime minister and president of Türkiye for 20 years. He has now won another presidential election, setting his record as an undefeated politician.
Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council chairman Ahmet Yener announced that Erdogan had defeated his rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, in the second round of the presidential election on Sunday.
Erdogan won 52.14% of the vote, while Kilicdaroglu won 47.86% of the vote. The difference between their votes is about 2 million.
Erdogan’s Traces of Power in Türkiye
The following is Erdogan’s track record of power, which is now officially entering its third decade:
1. Erdogan has been prime minister since 2003
Erdogan has served as Prime Minister (PM) of Türkiye since 2003.
Before becoming PM, one of the founders of the Justice and Development Party, he was popular as Mayor of Istanbul from 1994-1998.
2. Erdogan Becomes President Starting in 2014
Erdoğan first took the oath of office as president of Turkey on August 28, 2014 and officially became the 12th president of Turkey. He later installed Ahmet Davutoğlu as Prime Minister of Türkiye on 29 August 2014.
3. Türkiye Referendum Removes PM Office in 2017
In April 2017, Turkey held a constitutional referendum, in which voters in Turkey (and Turkish citizens abroad) approved 18 proposed amendments to the Turkish Constitution.
The amendments included replacing the existing parliamentary system with a presidential one. The post of PM was abolished, and the president became an executive post with broad executive powers.
The number of seats in Parliament will be increased from 550 to 600 and the age for candidacy in Parliament will be reduced from 25 to 18 years.
The referendum also calls for changes to the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors.
4. Erdogan Wins the 2nd Period of 2018 Presidential Election
In the 2018 Turkish presidential election, President Erdogan, who was promoted by the Justice and Development Party as the incumbent candidate, won. This victory paved the way for a second-term president.
