Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, was hailed as the victor in the country’s first direct election for president on Sunday, triumphing in his bid to become head of state, bolster his powers and change the country’s system of government.
As the country’s state run broadcaster declared Mr Erdogan the winner, initial counts suggested that he had avoided the need for a second round run-off by netting more than 50 per cent of the votes cast.
The race is seen as a turning point for a country that is strategically vital, due to its location between the Middle East and Europe, but whose relationships with both the US and the EU have soured.
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