Morning Briefing: May 29, 2023

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including Recep Tayyip Erdogan emerges victorious in the presidential election as world leaders congratulate him amid celebrations in the country and abroad.

TOP STORIES

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been reelected Türkiye’s president in the runoff election, announced the Supreme Election Council.

On Sunday, Erdogan, the candidate of the People’s Alliance, faced off against the opposition’s joint candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, after no one was able to secure more than 50% in the May 14 election. In the parliamentary elections held the same day, Erdogan’s electoral alliance took the majority of seats.

In the runoff polls, Erdogan secured 52.16% of the votes while Kilicdaroglu got 47.84%, with 99.85% of ballot boxes opened and around 85% voter turnout.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the Turkish democracy and its people as winners after his reelection in Sunday’s runoff polls.

“No one has lost today. All 85 million (people) have won,” he said, addressing thousands of his supporters gathered in front of the presidential complex in the capital Ankara.

He called the election as one of the most important in the country’s political history and said people had made their decision in favor of the “Century of Türkiye.”

Leaders from all over the world, on their social media and public platforms, congratulated President Erdogan, expressing their willingness to work together on bilateral and global matters.

US President Joe Biden said he looks forward to working together, and Russian President Vladimir Putin appreciated Erdogan’s contribution toward strengthening the relations.

NATO, European Commission, the UN, and EU extended their felicitations.

Congratulatory messages poured in from many heads of state, including UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Italy, UAE, Bahrain, Canada, Ukraine, Israel, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Pakistan, Kosovo, Somalia, Iran, and Georgia.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• In cities across Europe, including Berlin, London, and Zurich, Turkish expats poured into the streets to celebrate Erdogan’s victory in Sunday’s runoff election.

• Biden urged Congress on Sunday to pass a bipartisan agreement he reached with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to raise the debt ceiling, reiterating that the deal will take the default threat off the table.

• EU foreign police chief Josep Borrell said the bloc and NATO have urged Kosovo authorities to de-escalate tensions in northern municipalities where ethnic Serbs live.

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted a draft bill to its parliament, introducing 50-year sanctions against Iran, says local media. Sanctions include trade bans, prohibition of flights, and transportation.

• Azerbaijan on Sunday celebrated its 105th anniversary of independence. Considered the “first democratic republic of the Muslim East,” Azerbaijan’s independence was declared by its founder Mammad Amin Rasulzadeh.

• Spain decisively swung toward the right after local elections Sunday resulted in right-wing parties winning power in most major cities and several regional governments.

• Saudi Arabia and the US called on Sudan’s warring rivals, to extend their temporary cease-fire, set to expire on Monday. The agreement was reached between the two sides in Saudi Arabia.

SPORTS

• Verstappen wins Monaco Grand Prix in F1

Red Bull’s Dutch racer Max Verstappen won Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix in the Formula One season, as he beat Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon, in Monte Carlo.

Champion Verstappen took his fourth win in the 2023 campaign after completing the 78-lap race in an hour, 48 minutes, and 51.98 seconds.

• Sabalenka, Tsitsipas reach 2nd round of French Open

Aryna Sabalenka and Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the second round of the French Open in women’s and men’s singles, respectively, as the major tennis tournament began in Paris on Sunday.

Sabalenka beat opponent Marta Kostyuk with sets of 6-3 and 6-2, while Tsitsipas beat Jiri Vesely with 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7).

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

• Supermarkets in UK urged to put price caps on food items

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is mulling to request retailers to implement price caps on essential food items, such as bread and milk, said local newspaper.

The plan involves major retailers committing to charge the “lowest feasible price” for select essential food products.

• Electricity link with Jordan to start production, says Iraq

Iraq said an electricity grid interconnection with Jordan will start production on July 1.

“Production will start with a capacity of 50 megawatts in the first phase,” Electricity Ministry spokesman Ahmed Moussa said as quoted by the state news agency INA, however, there was no confirmation yet from Jordanian authorities.

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