Election results to end political uncertainty in Turkey, President Erdoğan says


President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Wednesday that the return of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) to single-party power in the Nov. 1 election gives Turkey the opportunity to take stronger steps on regional issues.Speaking at a business meeting in Ankara, Erdoğan said the result, in which the AK Party obtained almost 50 percent of the vote on Nov. 1, would bring an end to political uncertainty in the country.Referring to Russia's intervention in Syria, he also offered a "friendly warning" that those adding fuel to the conflict would find themselves in that very fire. He said security is key to economic development and referred to the crises in Syria and Ukraine. "The conflict in Syria does not only involve terrorism, but also has economic dimensions" Erdoğan said. Erdoğan questioned the legitimacy of international organizations in their inability to counter the situation in Syria."The conscience of humanity cannot ignore a structure that does not take action as 370,000 people are slaughtered in a vicious and bloodthirsty way. The international establishments that do not prioritize humanity and human life may have a legal status, but they can never overcome their issues of legitimacy."Erdoğan further said that international organizations were responsible for the deaths of innocent people while they had the power to prevent it from happening.He also commented on the recent refugee crisis: "We are constantly exposed to this crisis and having troubles every day while many countries follow it in the media and many foreign leaders try to find solutions to it, but just on paper."According to preliminary election results, the AK Party secured 49.48 percent of the vote, much higher than had been predicted by pollsters, giving it a wide majority of 317 out of 550 seats in Parliament.Early elections were called for Nov. 1 following the June elections, which resulted in no party with an outright majority. The 45 days of subsequent talks between parties failed to produce a coalition.The Supreme Election Board (YSK) is expected to announce the official election results on Thursday.