Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister, Turkey, has promised to build a harmony with the opposition parties, after securing a third term in the office.

More than 50 million people, about two- thirds of Turkey’s population of 73 million, were eligible to vote in Sunday’s election.

On Sunday’s vote, with 99% of the ballots counted, Mr. Erdogan’s Justice and Development party won 50% of the votes, which is equivalent to 326 seats in the Parliament. But in order to make unilateral changes to the constitution two- third of the majority is required, which the party failed to secure.

Despite the criticism from some of his authoritarian style of leadership, Mr. Erdogan had widely expected to win.

There was a short of 330 seat “super majority”, which would have enabled the party to make constitutional changes without putting to a public referendum.

Mr. Erdogan, accepting their victory in Ankara, made a promise that, they would build the new constitution through consensus and negotiation and will make the party a humble one.

The AKP supporters were celebrating on the streets of the capital on Sunday night.

Since taking power in 2003, AKP which has Islamic roots has presided over strong economic growth and a more assertive Foreign policy.

It has also seen unemployment fall down to 11.5% in March from 14.4% in the same period last year. The country is a member of NATO as well as a candidate of membership of the European.

Turkey PM Erdogan ‘to build consensus’ after poll win

Report by Sharika