Erdogan gains momentum in Turkey's election runoff.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan led the first round of the presidential election with 49.4% of the vote, just below the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff. His main opposition rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, had 44.96%. Erdogan's People's Alliance, comprising his Islamist-rooted AK Party and its nationalist partners, also appeared set to win a majority in the new parliament with 321 of the 600 seats, further boosting his chances in the presidential runoff. Erdogan's strong showing is likely to encourage the Kremlin but unnerve the Biden administration, as well as many European and Middle Eastern leaders who had troubled relations with Erdogan.