Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey was sworn in for a third term as president on Saturday, swearing to carry out his duties “impartially” following his victory in a historic runoff election to extend his two-decade rule by another five years.
“As president, I swear upon my honour and integrity, before the great Turkish nation … to work with all my power to protect the existence and independence of the state … and to fulfill my duty impartially,” Erdogan said as he took oath in a ceremony at the parliament in Ankara, broadcast live on television.
“We will embrace all 85 million people [in the country] regardless of their political views, origins, or sect,” he added.
The 69-year-old leader will name his cabinet, which will be tasked with handling an economic crisis that has witnessed runaway inflation and the collapse of the lira.
Erdogan’s inauguration was followed by a lavish ceremony at the presidential palace in the capital attended by dozens of world leaders.
Erdogan’s victory
Despite facing an economic crisis and severe criticism in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, Erdogan emerged as the winner in the May 28 runoff against a powerful opposition coalition. The tragic earthquake had claimed the lives of over 50,000 people.
Official results reveal that Erdogan won 52.18 per cent of the vote, while his secular rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, got 47.82 per cent votes.
The defeat in the election has raised doubts about Kemal Kilicdaroglu’s future as the leader of the CHP party, which formed the unified opposition coalition.
Turkey’s newly elected parliament members
On Saturday, the president is expected to unveil his new cabinet. As per media speculation, former finance minister Mehmet Simsek, who has long opposed Erdogan’s unorthodox policies, may be included in the cabinet.
Turkey’s newly elected members of parliament began their swearing-in process on Friday, following the May 14 election, which Erdogan also attended.
Erdogan’s alliance holds a majority in the 600-seat parliament.
Challenges Erdogan faces
Turkey’s longest-serving leader now faces significant and immediate challenges in his third term, primarily driven by a slowing economy and strained foreign policy relations with the West.
AFP reports that geopolitical strategist Matt Gertken of BCA Research suggests that the election is “Turkey’s recent pursuit of an independent foreign policy.”
“This policy aims to extract maximum economic and strategic benefits from eastern and autocratic states while still preventing a permanent rupture in relations with western democracies,” he added.
Gertken also predicted that “Tensions with the West will likely increase again within that framework, now that Erdogan has a new mandate.”
Addressing the country’s economic troubles will be Erdogan’s top priority, as inflation currently stands at 43.70 per cent, partly attributed to his unorthodox policy of cutting interest rates to stimulate growth.
NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg will attend Erdogan’s inauguration and engage in discussions with him.
Meanwhile, NATO allies eagerly await Ankara’s approval of Sweden’s application to join the US-led defence alliance before the July summit. Erdogan has been hesitant in granting the application, accusing Sweden of harbouring “terrorists” affiliated with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Ankara and its Western allies classify as a terrorist group.
