Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed a decisive win for his party in local elections.
Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) secured nearly 47% of the vote, while the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) polled 28%.
Following his victory, Erdogan has warned that his rivals will "pay the price" for trying to bring about his downfall.
Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan greets his supporters with members of his family in AnkaraReutersSupporters of Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan turn on their mobile phones as they celebrate his election victory in front of the party headquarters in AnkaraReutersGursel Tekin (C), main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy chairman, watches election results on TV with party members at the CHP headquarters in AnkaraReutersSupporters of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) celebrate the results of local elections in IstanbulAFPSupporters of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) attend a pre-election rally in IstanbulAFPSupporters of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) wave flags during a rally at Kadikoy in Istanbul before the electionsAFP
The results were a big boost for the prime minister following a tumultuous corruption scandal.
Last week Turkey suspended access to Twitter, which has been a conduit for links to recordings suggesting corruption by Erdogan's government. Then access to YouTube was blocked following the leak of an audio recording of a top security meeting at which officials allegedly discussed a military intervention in neighbouring Syria.
An anti-government protester wearing a Guy Fawkes mask gestures behind a burning barricade in Ankara during a demonstration sparked by the death of a teenager fatally wounded in protests in Istanbul last summerReutersRiot police officers shield themselves as fireworks thrown by protesters explode next to a statue of a bull in Istanbul. Protesters clashed with police in cities across Turkey after the death of Berkin Elvan, a 15-year-old boy who was hit in the head by a tear-gas canister during anti-government demonstrations last summerReutersBerkin Elvan's sister Ozge reacts as his coffin approaches the Okmeydani cemevi, an Alevi place of worship, in IstanbulReutersMourners carry the coffin of Berkin Elvan, a 15-year-old boy fatally wounded during anti-government demonstrations last summer, in IstanbulReutersRiot police use tear gas to disperse demonstrators as they try to march to the Turkish Parliament during a protest in AnkaraReuters
