Turkish electoral board formally confirms PM Erdogan's victory in direct presidential vote

Published January 08, 2015

Turkey's High Electoral Board has confirmed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the country's first popularly elected president.

Board chairman Sadi Guven declared Friday that Erdogan "has been elected the 12th president of the Turkish Republic" with 51.79 percent of the vote.

The elections were held Aug. 10 and Erdogan is to be sworn in as president on Aug. 28.

Erdogan has said Turkey's ruling party is likely to pick a prime minister to replace him during a meeting of senior party leaders next week. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is reported to be a strong contender.

Although largely a ceremonial position, Erdogan has said he wants to strengthen the presidency and would make use of its seldom-used powers, such as presiding over Cabinet meetings.

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