Turkey’s Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed victory for his Islamic-rooted party in Sunday’s key local elections, AFP reported on Monday, March 31st.
“Those who attacked Turkey got disappointed,” Erdogan told a jubilant crowd of thousands, speaking from the balcony of his party’s Ankara headquarters after months of turmoil marked by street clashes, sleaze claims and an Internet clampdown.
With all ballots counted, Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) emerged well ahead of its rivals on more than 45 percent of the vote, with the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) on 28.5 percent.
“Syria is currently in a state of war against us,” he said.