For his part, Erdogan’s challenger Kilicdaroglu sought to put a positive spin on the result.
In a series of tweets addressed to Erdogan, referring to less than 50 percent, Kilikdaroglu said, “The message of change has come from the ballot box. Those who want change in this country are now more than those who don’t want it.” To “dear young people”.
But many of his supporters, including first-time voter Asim, were unhappy with Kilicdaroglu’s chances of winning the runoff vote.
“I have less hope now,” said Asim, a 22-year-old student.
“I think there is an impasse here. There are nationalist voters on one side (Turkish) and Kurdish voters on the other,” he said.