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Governing party wins Turkish vote Turkey re-elects governing party
(about 1 hour later)
Supporters of Turkey's governing AK Party are celebrating after the country's prime minister claimed a comprehensive general election victory.Supporters of Turkey's governing AK Party are celebrating after the country's prime minister claimed a comprehensive general election victory.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to work for national unity after his party won re-election with almost 50% of votes.Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to work for national unity after his party won re-election with almost 50% of votes.
He told cheering crowds in Ankara that the AKP victory was a triumph for Turkish democracy.He told cheering crowds in Ankara that the AKP victory was a triumph for Turkish democracy.
Opponents had insisted that a win for the Islamist-rooted AKP could undermine Turkey's secular traditions.Opponents had insisted that a win for the Islamist-rooted AKP could undermine Turkey's secular traditions.
But the BBC's Chris Morris, in Ankara, the Turkish capital, says the AKP have scored a stunning victory, and those who still believe it is a threat to the secular system are clearly in a minority. The election was called after opposition parties in parliament blocked the AK Party's nominee for the post of president, causing political deadlock.
But the BBC's Chris Morris, in Ankara, the Turkish capital, says the AKP has now scored a stunning victory, and those who still believe it is a threat to the secular system are clearly in a minority.
The secularists' fear and dislike of political Islam is very real and not feigned BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in full
Reports said the AKP had won about 47% of the nationwide vote after some three-quarters of votes were counted.
Two opposition parties won the 10% share needed to guarantee seats in parliament: the secularist Republican People's Party (CHP) polled 20%, and the right-wing Nationalist Action Party (MHP) 14%.
Those gains meant the AK Party would have about 340 seats in the 550-member parliament, Turkish media said.
Estimates said the CHP would win 112 seats and the MHP 70 seats, with about 25 going to independent candidates.
Unity callUnity call
Speaking in Ankara, Mr Erdogan said his party would continue pursuing Turkey's ambitions of joining the European Union.Speaking in Ankara, Mr Erdogan said his party would continue pursuing Turkey's ambitions of joining the European Union.
Turkish election primer Send us your reaction Turkish voters' views
In front of cheering crowds waving Turkish flags and the blue flags of the AKP, Mr Erdogan said he would work for all Turkish people, no matter who they had voted for.In front of cheering crowds waving Turkish flags and the blue flags of the AKP, Mr Erdogan said he would work for all Turkish people, no matter who they had voted for.
This is a battle of different classes, as well as of religion and ideas BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in full
"Democracy has passed a very important test," he said, pledging to continue economic and democratic reforms."Democracy has passed a very important test," he said, pledging to continue economic and democratic reforms.
"Whoever you have voted for... We respect your choices. We regard your differences as part of our pluralist democracy. It is our responsibility to safeguard this richness.""Whoever you have voted for... We respect your choices. We regard your differences as part of our pluralist democracy. It is our responsibility to safeguard this richness."
He also vowed to continue the fight against Kurdish rebels in the east of Turkey.He also vowed to continue the fight against Kurdish rebels in the east of Turkey.
Reports said the AKP had won almost 48% of the nationwide vote after some 80% of votes were counted.
The main opposition party was holding second place, with just 20% of votes.
Sentiments highSentiments high
The vote was called after disputes over a presidential candidate, and was seen as a test of Turkish secularism.
Voting was compulsory and turnout was reported to be extremely high.Voting was compulsory and turnout was reported to be extremely high.
Some 42 million people were eligible to vote in the poll, while 14 parties vied for seats in the 550-member parliament. Some 42 million people were eligible to vote in the poll, while 14 parties vied for seats in parliament.
Turkish election primer Send us your reaction Turkish voters' views
Poling stations were busy from early on Sunday, with supporters of the secular establishment out in force as well as AKP voters.Poling stations were busy from early on Sunday, with supporters of the secular establishment out in force as well as AKP voters.
Many people broke into applause as Turkey's military chief of staff, General Yasar Buyukanit, arrived to cast his vote. Many people broke into applause as Turkey's military chief of staff arrived to cast his vote.
The early election was called after the generals warned that Turkey's strict secular system was in danger and the army was prepared to step in to defend it. In the run-up to the election generals had warned that the army was prepared to step in to defend Turkey's strict secular system.
Record of growth The deadlock in parliament emerged when the AKP tried to nominate Abdullah Gul, a former foreign minister, for the post of president - traditionally a secular figurehead for the republic.
The election was called in an effort to break a stalemate over a package of constitutional reforms proposed by Mr Erdogan's current government. Opposition parties blocked Mr Gul's appointment, as well as government reforms proposing direct elections to choose a president.
Those reforms included a proposal for the country's president to be elected directly by the people, rather than by parliament.
They were put forward by the AK Party, whose candidate for the presidency, Abdullah Gul, was repeatedly rejected by parliament.
Turkey's current president and its secularist establishment have vowed to resist what they regard as the Islamist agenda of the AK Party.Turkey's current president and its secularist establishment have vowed to resist what they regard as the Islamist agenda of the AK Party.
Mr Erdogan's government denies the claims, saying its record in office proves the contrary. Mr Erdogan's government dismisses that portrayal, pointing to its record of five straight years of economic growth and the start of membership negotiations with the European Union.
The government has overseen almost five straight years of economic growth and opened membership negotiations with the European Union.