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Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins Turkish presidential vote Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins Turkish presidential election
(35 minutes later)
Outgoing Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won his country's first direct presidential election. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won his country's first direct presidential election.
With almost all the votes counted, Mr Erdogan had won about 52%, against 38% for his main rival Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, who has admitted defeat. With almost all the votes counted, Mr Erdogan had won about 52%, against 38% for main rival Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.
The result avoids the need for a run-off. Mr Erdogan thanked all of his supporters in a speech in Ankara. The huge margin of victory means there is no need for a run-off.
The three-time PM has said he wants to strengthen Turkey's largely ceremonial presidency. Mr Erdogan, who has vowed to bolster the power of the president, promised supporters a "social reconciliation period", saying: "Let's leave the old discussions in the old Turkey."
'Improve democracy' He added in the speech in Ankara: "Today, not only those who love us, but also those who don't have won. Today Turkey has won."
Mr Erdogan is revered by supporters for boosting the economy and for giving a voice to conservatives. The veteran leader, who has spent three terms as prime minister, is revered by supporters for boosting the economy and giving a voice to conservatives.
But his critics lament his authoritarian approach and Islamist leanings in a secular state, says the BBC's Mark Lowen, in the Turkish capital Ankara. But his critics lament his authoritarian approach and Islamist leanings in a secular state, says the BBC's Mark Lowen in Ankara.
After the provisional results were announced Mr Ihsanoglu, joint candidate for the two main opposition parties, said: "I congratulate Mr Prime Minister and wish him success." After the provisional results were announced Mr Ihsanoglu, joint candidate for the two main opposition parties, said: "I congratulate the prime minister and wish him success."
Mr Erdogan said: "The nation has shown its will at the end of the journey that we started on July 5th. Mr Erdogan has been prime minister since 2003 and was barred from standing for another term.
"We will continue our struggle to further improve democracy and implement its standards. We will do everything to further improve the negotiation process in the country."
He has been prime minister since 2003 and was barred from standing for another term.
He needed more than 50% of the vote for an outright victory, avoiding a second round.He needed more than 50% of the vote for an outright victory, avoiding a second round.
Our correspondent says turnout appears to be much lower than expected - some voters may have been dissuaded by the summer heat and holidays.Our correspondent says turnout appears to be much lower than expected - some voters may have been dissuaded by the summer heat and holidays.
Turkey - wedged between the turmoil of Iraq, Syria and Ukraine - is an important ally for the West, our correspondent adds, and whoever becomes head of state will hold a key geopolitical position.Turkey - wedged between the turmoil of Iraq, Syria and Ukraine - is an important ally for the West, our correspondent adds, and whoever becomes head of state will hold a key geopolitical position.
Mr Erdogan's other rival, Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas, took about 9% of the vote.Mr Erdogan's other rival, Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas, took about 9% of the vote.