Turkey: Election to be Decided by Run-Off as Erdoğan Misses Automatic Reelection

As Erdogan's votes dipped, Turkey heads to a runoff presidential race.

President Erdogan has been the leader for 20 years and is still partially ahead of his main rival but was short of the amount needed for an outright relelection.

His rival, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is an Economist and has been leader of the opposition for 10 years.

Erdogan, 69, told supporters he could still win but would respect the nation's decision if the race went to a runoff on May 28.
The vote is being closely watched to see if the key NATO country remains under the control of the increasingly authoritarian president or can embark on a more democratic course.

This year's election came amid a backdrop of economic turmoil, a cost-of-living crisis and a February earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people.

Western nations and foreign investors are also awaiting the outcome because of Erdogan's unorthodox leadership of the economy and often mercurial but successful efforts to put Turkey at the center of international negotiations.