Erdogan declares victory after toughest challenge yet to his two-decade rule

Turkish President and People's Alliance's presidential candidate Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaks during an election campaign rally in Istanbul, Turkey, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Turkish President and People's Alliance's presidential candidate Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaks during an election campaign rally in Istanbul, Turkey, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

ISTANBUL — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declares victory in a historic runoff election that posed the toughest challenge of his two-decade rule.

“We will be ruling the country for the coming five years,” Erdogan tells his cheering supporters from atop a bus in his home district in Istanbul. “God willing, we will be deserving of your trust.”

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