Erdogan says second round ‘welcome’ as Turkey election heads to runoff
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00:00 It wasn't quite the election night Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had hoped for.
00:05 But as he greeted a sea of supporters gathered at his AK Party headquarters,
00:10 the incumbent remained optimistic, despite the race likely heading for a run-off vote.
00:15 "If our nation has made its choice in favour of a second round, then that is also welcome.
00:26 We strongly believe that we will continue to serve our nation for the next five years."
00:30 Votes are still being tallied and the incumbent has a comfortable lead.
00:35 But he's so far failed to hit the 50% threshold needed to win outright.
00:40 These elections are the biggest challenge to Erdogan's 20-year-long rule in Turkey
00:46 and his opponent Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is hoping to keep up the pressure.
00:50 The leader of a six-party alliance says he's ready to face a run-off
00:54 but cried foul over vote counting.
00:56 "From the ballot boxes where our votes are high,
01:03 they are blocking the system with repeated objections. What you are blocking is Turkey's will."
01:08 Also vying for the presidency is Sinan Ogan.
01:12 The candidate who is backed by the nationalist ATA alliance party
01:17 is training far behind his rivals.
01:19 Who he decides to endorse in the possible next round could be critical.
01:24 "Dear friends, there will be another difficult 15 days ahead of us.
01:31 At this time, we are not saying whether we will support one party or the other."
01:37 In the parliamentary vote, Erdogan's coalition is heading for a majority.
01:45 It's on course to secure 324 seats out of the 600 seats in parliament.
01:51 If confirmed, a runoff will take place on May 28th.