Asian media covers Erdogan’s election victory

By Fuat Kabakci and Mahmut Atanur

BEIJING, China / JAKARTA, Indonesia (AA) - Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections were covered widely by media across Asia.

Turkish citizens voted in presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday.

Currently, 99.2 percent of the ballot boxes have been opened as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is leading with 52.5 percent of the votes while his major rival Muharrem Ince lags behind at 30.6 percent.

The People's Alliance, a coalition of Erdogan's Justice and Development (AK) Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), has won 53.6 percent of the votes as 99.1 percent of the boxes have been opened so far in parliamentary votes.

- China

China’s official Xinhua news agency said the “decisive victory in the critical elections was Erdogan’s” adding that he won more votes in the first round of election than what was predicted by public polls.

The news agency reported 60 million citizens cast their votes.

State-run Global Times shared election results in a story titled: “Turkey's Erdogan, his alliance win presidential, parliamentary elections”

- Japan

Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported “Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims victory in Turkey presidential election”, stating that Erdogan had remained in power since 2003.

It added that the ruling alliance won a majority in the parliament.

NHK, Japan’s national broadcaster, said Erdogan’s re-election was likely to affect the region.

- Indonesia

Indonesia’s national news agency Antara said Erdogan won a high number of votes.

The local Kompas news website said Erdogan declared victory with more than 50 percent of the votes, securing the next five years as president.

- Thailand

The Bangkok Post stated Erdogan won a double victory, adding that Turkey voted in the presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day for the first time.

- Malaysia

The Star newspaper said Erdogan won a majority in the elections with more than half of the votes.

- Singapore

The Strait Times newspaper said “Erdogan won the second term in presidency”.