The Turkish people have high hopes for important changes, like what President Erdogan promised, so that this country will have a better future.
Erdogan’s victory was not beyond the expectations ofinternational political observers, because pre-election polls showed that the majority of Turkish people still believe in the incumbent President’s leadership.
During the 20 years of Erdogan’s leadership, as Prime Minister from 2003-2014 and President from 2014 to the present, the Turkish economy has grown impressively, nearly halving the poverty rate and becoming the 18th largest economy in the world.
The country’s autonomous foreign policy, which is closely linked to President Erdogan’s leadership role, is widely supported by the Turkish people. Over the years, Turkey’s prestige and position have continuously increased in both the region and the international arena.
As one of the leading military powers in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Turkey maintains a balanced relationship with world powers and actively plays a role in giving solutions to and being a mediator in many crises in the Middle East and Africa region, or the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
However, a series of domestic and foreign challenges await President Erdogan’s government in the new term. The prospect of economic recovery is the top concern of the Turkish people right now, in the context thatdifficulties from the economic downturn aresurrounding all aspects of life. The value of the lira fell to an all-time low, while inflation rose continuously andforeign exchange reserves dropped to a record low, etc.
The reconstruction work after the earthquake disaster in February is still in disarray. Understanding the aspirations of the people, right in his victory speech, President Erdogan affirmed that economic growth and inflation reduction would be the top priority.
Immediately after the election results, a series of leaders of countries, the United Nations and international organisations sent their congratulations to Erdogan. The international community closely followed the electionin Turkey, because Ankara has a growing influence on many issues.
Analysts say that, in the new term, President Erdogan will maintain a balanced policy in relations with major countries, while seeking to improve relations with Western countries and normalise relations with countries in the region, to create a stable environment for economic development goals.
The first day after President Erdogan was re-elected marked a new turning point in Turkish-Egyptian diplomatic relations.
In a congratulatory phone call to his Turkish counterpart, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi agreed to immediately upgrade diplomatic relations and exchange ambassadors between the two countries. The two leaders jointly affirmed the significance of the historic ties linking the two countries and two peoplesand agreed to strengthen bilateral ties and narrow the differences that had caused the two countries to sever diplomatic ties.
This is the first time Turkey had to hold the second round of presidential elections after Erdogan could not win with overwhelming votes in the first round. Many Turks want to see the renewal of their country.
President Erdogan himself said that the election was the most important event for Turkey in the modern era and also one of the most important elections in the world in 2023. He called on the entire people to be united and believed that Turkey will completely change and the future of the country will be seen differently.
