TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdogan on winning the second round in Turkiye's presidential election. “Warmest congratulations to my dear brother,” he tweeted on Monday, May 29, 2023.

Jokowi hoped that the strategic partnership between Indonesia and Turkey following Erdogan's re-election as president can continue, or even strengthened. “For the benefit of our peoples,” Jokowi said.

Erdogan won the Turkish presidential election in the second round held on Sunday, May 28, 2023, and succeeded in extending his power which has lasted more than 20 years. Erdogan gained 52.1 percent of the vote, while his challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu bagged 47.9 percent of the vote.

The prospect of five more years of his rule was a major blow to opponents who accused him of undermining democracy as he garnered ever more power. He denied the allegation.

In his victory speech in Ankara, Erdogan vowed to unite the Turkish people with national values and dreams. Nevertheless, he lashed out the opposition and accused Kilicdaroglu of siding with terrorists, without providing any evidence.

Jokowi and Erdogan last met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali in November 2023. Several agreements were signed by the ministers prior to the meeting, including deals in the fields of defense, environment, technology research, and innovation, as well as development cooperation.

DANIEL A. FAJRI | REUTERS

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