Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was sworn in for his third term as president of Turkiye on Saturday, following a historic runoff election that extended his two-decade rule.
The ceremony took place in parliament which was followed by a grand event that held at the Presidential Palace in Ankara.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by numerous world leaders including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.
Despite facing an economic crisis and public anger over a devastating earthquake in February that claimed over 50,000 lives, Erdogan secured victory in the May 28 runoff against a powerful opposition coalition. Official results showed Erdogan with 52.18 percent of the vote, while his secular rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu obtained 47.82 percent.
During the parliamentary ceremony, Erdogan pledged to serve impartially and protect the state’s independence and existence. He emphasized his commitment to upholding the rule of law and the secular principles of the republic, which was established by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk a century ago.
Following his oath, Erdogan received a standing ovation from his supporters in parliament, although some opposition lawmakers chose not to stand. As he enters his third term, Erdogan faces immediate challenges, including a slowing economy and strained relations with Western nations.
Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb took to twitter to share a video clip of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while congratulating Recep Tayyip Erdogan on swearing in as President of Turkiye for third time.
“PM Shehbaz Sharif felicitates Turkey’s long-serving president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been sworn in for his third term in office at historic inaugural ceremony,” the minister tweeted.
According to a news statement of the information ministry, the minister also met the President of Turkiye and first lady Emine Erdogan during the inauguration ceremony in Ankara and felicitated him on his new term in president office.
The minister said historic victory of Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkiye presidential election was an expression of the continued confidence reposed by the Turkish people in him. Under his leadership, Turkiye would further prosper, she added. Marriyum said Pakistan and Turkiye were brotherly countries, and their relations would get a boost in the coming days.
