Pakistani premier congratulates Turkish president over elections

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the May 14 parliamentary and presidential election results.

In a phone call, Sharif wished Erdogan success in the May 28 presidential runoff, adding that he hopes the elections are beneficial for the Turkish people, according to Türkiye's Communications Directorate.

Millions of voters went to the polls on May 14 to elect the country's president and its 600-seat parliament.

Erdogan’s People’s Alliance won a majority in parliament, while the presidential race is headed to a second-round runoff on May 28.

Erdogan will face Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and joint candidate for the six-party opposition Nation Alliance, in the runoff vote.

Erdogan finished the first round with 49.52% of the vote, while Kilicdaroglu came second at 44.88%, and Sinan Ogan of the ATA (Ancestral) Alliance got 5.17%.

Ogan today endorsed Erdogan for the runoff, saying: “We believe that our decision is the right decision for our country and nation."