The media played an important role in Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s presidential election victory in Turkey

Turkey held the first direct presidential elections in its history on 10 August, with the country’s prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, winning enough support in the first round of voting to secure the presidency. Asli Tunc argues that while Erdoğan undoubtedly has widespread support across the country, the role of the media was nevertheless important in securing his victory in the election. She notes that the key focus for Erdoğan will now be to increase the relatively limited powers assigned to the president.