FIRM GRIP
Putin congratulates ‘dear friend’ Erdogan as Turkey’s strongman president cements 25 years in power in historic election
VLADIMIR Putin congratulated his "dear friend" Recep Tayyip Erdogan last night after he triumphed in Turkey's presidential election.
The Russian tyrant applauded the historic win which takes strongman Erdogan into his third decade in power.
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Turkey's increasingly authoritarian leader of 20 years began toasting his victory before the results of the presidential runoff had even been announced.
And it seemed Putin was eagerly waiting news that Erdogan - one of his few remaining allies - had won five more years.
The Kremlin despot's compliment-brimming tribute is sure to raise eyebrows among Nato members who have been alarmed by their rapport.
Putin gushed: "The election victory was a natural result of your selfless work as the head of the Republic of Turkey, clear evidence of the support of the Turkish people for your efforts to strengthen state sovereignty and conduct an independent foreign policy.
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"We highly appreciate your personal contribution to the strengthening of friendly Russian-Turkish relations and mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas."
The relationship between the world leaders has been hotting up amid a series of joint projects.
Putin said he attached great importance to dual ventures such as Turkey's Akkuyu nuclear power plant and a proposed gas hub.
The power plant was built by Russia's state nuclear energy company Rosatom after an inter-governmental agreement between Ankara and Moscow.
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Erdogan and Putin were due to meet before its inauguration last month, although he pulled out due to a stomach illness while in the midst of his campaign trail.
Nato member Turkey had close relations with both Russia and Ukraine - and has attempted to balance ties during the war.
But Erdogan noticeably met with Putin several times last year, and has refused to acknowledge Western sanctions against Russia.
The two countries cooperate closely on energy supplies while being at odds over Syria, Libya and Azerbaijan.
And Turkey has also criticised the invasion and supplied Kyiv with armed drones.
But the re-elected leader asserted his authority before one sit down last year by keeping the notoriously impatient Putin waiting for almost a minute.
Their bromance seems to still be flourishing, especially since Turkey is one of the few safe havens for sanctioned oligarchs to flee.
However, it is feared Erdogan could step up his autocratic regime after his re-election received Putin's seal of approval.
The news of the Turkish strongman achieving his third decade of rule was met by reports of gunfire in Istanbul.
But Erdogan's supporters drowned out the displeasure in anticipation of victory with chants of Allahu Akbar, or God is Greatest.
The 69-year-old emerged from the AK Party headquarters to address the crowds and thank voters by singing in celebration.
He praised "each and every member of the nation who once again conveyed to us responsibility for governing Turkey".
The President added: "God willing we will be worthy of your trust as we have been for the last 21 years."
But he still found time to relish in his rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu's misery, as he taunted him with the words: "Bye, bye Kemal" on his premature victory parade.
Hundreds of supporters then flooded the streets to listen to Erdogan's speech outside the presidential palace in the capital Ankara.
YSK Chairman Ahmet Yener officially announced the election results, stating that Erdogan was elected as the new president with 52 per cent of votes.
"Even if all of the results that have not been entered into the system yet go to a presidential candidate, the results will not change," he said.
Turkey has been gripped by its tightest election campaign in nearly a decade as the two rivals both failed to reach the 50 per cent threshold necessary to win outright.
A run-off vote was then scheduled for Sunday.
Opposition figurehead Kilicdaroglu had hoped to defeat the controversial ruler and halt his increasingly authoritarian two-decade reign.
The historic election was regarded as a possible turning point for Turks as they struggle with crippling 40 per cent annual inflation while recovering from horror twin earthquakes that killed 50,000.
Kilicdaroglu condemned the polls in a fiery speech and labelled it an unfair election.
"You should know that we will stand against those difficulties awaiting us," he warned.
It came after Erdogan was spotted handing out wads of cash at a polling station where he had cast his ballot.
He dished out notes worth 200 lira (£8) and shook hands with fans in his last-ditch bid to rally support.
The uncertainty around the election result has already taken a toll on Turkey after it destabilised the national economy.
The Lira fell against the Dollar and the central bank's currency and gold reserves plunged by £17 billion in the run-up to the big day.
Congratulations from world leaders for Erdogan flooded in as soon as he took the lead in the presidential race.
Downing Street said: "Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan this evening to congratulate him on his re-election.
"The Prime Minister reiterated the strong relationship between the United Kingdom and Turkey, as economic partners and close Nato allies."
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in a tweet: "There are great challenges that France and Turkey have to face together.
"The return of peace to Europe, the future of our Euro-Atlantic alliance, the Mediterranean sea.
"With President Erdogan, whom I congratulate on his re-election, we will continue to move forward."
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani jubilantly wished the hardlinee leader "success for his new term" in a tweet.
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He added: "My dear brother Recep Tayyip Erdogan, congratulations on your victory."
Far right Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also applauded Erdogan on "his unquestionable election victory"; in an online post.
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