Erdogan says he could still win Turkey election despite prospect of run-off

Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan was locked in a tight election race early on Monday 15 May, with a make-or-break run-off against his challenger possible as the final votes were counted.

The results, whether they come within days or after a second round of voting takes place in two weeks, will determine if a Nato ally that straddles Europe and Asia but borders Syria and Iran remains under Mr Erdogan’s control or resumes the more democratic path promised by his main rival, opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Speaking to supporters in Ankara, Mr Erdogan, 69, said he could still win but would respect the nation’s decision if the race went to a run-off vote in two weeks.

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