Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emerged victorious in a tense run-off election, according to official results announced by the country’s Supreme Election Council and unofficial data from the state-run Anadolu Agency. Erdogan’s triumph comes after failing to secure the required majority of votes for an outright victory in the initial round held on May 14.

With nearly all votes counted, Erdogan secured 52.14 percent of the votes in the second round on Sunday, defeating his challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who garnered 47.86 percent, as reported by the Supreme Election Council. While the result is expected to be officially confirmed in the coming days, Erdogan’s re-election solidifies his position in history as he extends his rule for an additional five years, surpassing the 15-year presidency of the Republic of Turkey’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Addressing an exuberant crowd outside his residence in Istanbul’s Uskudar, Erdogan expressed his gratitude after his victory. He serenaded the gathering before delivering his remarks, stating, “With the support of our people, we have successfully concluded the second round of the presidential elections. By the grace of God, we will continue to deserve your trust, just as we have done for the past 21 years.” Erdogan emphasized that the triumph belonged to all 85 million citizens of Turkey, declaring them the “victors” of both the May 14 and May 28 voting rounds.

As Erdogan embarks on his new term, his victory paves the way for continued leadership in a country facing numerous challenges.