International media cover Turkey local elections

Here are the foreign press' assessment for Turkey's 2014 Local Election results.

International media cover Turkey local elections
Turkey's local elections were widely covered by the international media as Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan won a victory in the nationwide local elections.

Financial Times said "Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims victory in Turkey national polls." 

"Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, declared victory in national polls on Sunday night, suggesting an imminent crackdown on foes he blames for a corruption probe and a series of leaks, and hinting that he might be ready to stand for the country’s presidency," was Financial Times coverage of Turkey's local elections.

The Daily Telegraph  said "Turkey elections: PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims victory"  while the Times said "Crisis-hit Erdogan claims poll victory".

The Guardian said the strong showing could embolden Erdogan to run in what will be the first popular election for the presidency in August. 

The BBC reported that Erdogan's success was due to a solid base among religious and working-class groups across the country

Sunday's local elections were widely seen as a referendum in the Dutch media. 

 The ruling Ak Party and the main opposition Republican People's Party( CHP) were neck and neck in the capital, Ankara.

  The Netherlands's De Telegraaf also reported that Turkey elected its first head-scarved mayor. 

France's Le Figaro covered Erdogan's speech from a balcony at his party's headquarters in Ankara. Erdogan said he would "enter the lair" of enemies who have accused him of corruption and leaked state secrets. "They will pay for this," he said. The daily also said Erdogan was the strongest candidate to run for president. 

French newspaper Le Parisien reported that the AK Party increased its votes by about 10 percent and the government won a victory in key provinces. 

Le Monde said last year's anti-government protests and the recent allegations concerning his family and the government did not badly affect the elections results. 

Italy's Corriere della Sera said "Scandals did not sink Turkey PM." Erdogan, who has been in power for 11 years, claimed victory once again despite being accused of authoritarianism and a string of scandals.

La Repubblica said “Erdogan surprisingly wins, opposition rejects."

Spain's El Pais covered Twitter and YouTube bans in Turkey following a series of online leaks while El Mundo said "Besmirched with corruption, Turkish PM tries to legitimize his leadership."

The Belgian media reported that the ruling AK Party won local elections despite smear campaigns on social media against his government. 

Russia's Ria-Novosti news agency also covered Erdogan's balcony speech at his party's headquarters in Ankara while Itar-Tass said the biggest contest took place in Istanbul and Ankara. 

China's Xinhua news agency quoted Erdogan as saying "We have turned a new page in history."

Xinhua  also reported that eight people were killed and nearly 30 others were injured on Sunday in clashes amid the ongoing local elections in southern Turkey.

Iran's IRNA news agency said leaked recordings concerning Erdogan and  his government, corruption allegations "did not weaken Erdogan's popularity"

 CNN reported that even before results were announced, a triumphant Erdogan spoke to cheering supporters from the balcony of the headquarters of his ruling Justice and Development Party, calling the vote a victory for democracy in Turkey.

Erdogan said he delivered an "Ottoman slap" to opponents at the polls, CNN said. 

Washington Post reports, "The many temper tantrums of Turkey Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan" while New York Times "Not on Ballot, Turkey’s Premier Still Gets Push From Party in Local Elections."
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