KABUL (BNA) Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been sworn in as head of state in Turkey after winning a historic run-off election to extend his two-decade rule for another five years.
“I, as president, swear upon my honor and integrity before the great Turkish nation and history to safeguard the existence and independence of the state … to abide by the constitution, the rule of law, democracy, the principles and reforms of Ataturk, and the principles of the secular republic,” Erdogan said in a ceremony at the parliament in Ankara, which was broadcast live on television.
Saturday’s inauguration was followed by a lavish ceremony at the presidential palace in the capital attended by dozens of world leaders. Turkey’s longest-serving leader faces considerable diplomatic challenges amid tensions with the West.
Erdogan won 52.2 percent of the vote while his rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu 47.8 percent, official results show.
The lira has undergone a series of crashes in recent years and hit new all-time lows in the days after the vote.
W/A
