Erdoğan sworn in as president for five more years

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan took the oath of office for a new five-year presidential term yesterday, extending his rule into a third decade.

“I, as president, swear upon my honour and integrity, before the great Turkish nation and history, to safeguard the existence and independence of the state … to abide by the constitution, the rule of law, democracy, the principles and reforms of Atatürk, and the principles of the secular republic,” Erdoğan said in a ceremony at the parliament in Ankara, broadcast live on television.

Turkey’s longest-serving leader, Erdoğan won 52.2% support in a 28 May runoff vote. His election victory upended the predictions of most opinion polls and came despite a cost of living crisis that was seen to have dampened his prospects.