Incumbent Erdogan declares victory in unprecedented Turkey presidential runoff race

ISTANBUL — Incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared victory Sunday for a third term as Turkey's president in a rancorous runoff election, which saw a voter turnout of more than 80%.

With nearly 99% of ballot boxes opened, unofficial results from competing Turkish news agencies showed Erdogan with 52% of the vote, compared with 48% for his challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

"I thank each member of our nation for entrusting me with the responsibility to govern this country once again for the upcoming five years," Erdogan said in a speech to the nation.

Erdogan, a staunch nationalist weathering the greatest challenge of his political career, ridiculed Kilicdaroglu, saying, "bye bye, Kemal."

Speaking to his supporters in Ankara later, Kilicdaroglu gave a concession speech that was high on defiance.

He characterized the election as the most unfair int recent years, one where all the "means of the state were mobilized for a political party and laid under one man's feet."

"Keep fighting for democracy, for yourself and your family," he said.

As the results became clear, thousands of Erdogan supporters cheered, waved flags and joined impromptu dance circles that sprang up in the middle of central Istanbul. Those in vehicles blasted their horns and screamed. Above them fireworks popped in the night