( CNN ) -- Turks have picked prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to be the country 's first directly elected president . Erdogan secured 52 % of the votes in the first round of the presidential election , narrowly avoiding a runoff , according to Turkish election board . Turkey is a parliamentary democracy and the prime minister is the head of its government . The president 's role is more formal , and represents the country as the head of the state -- similar to the Queen in the UK . But Erdogan has already indicated he would like to see more powers being transferred to the presidential palace , speaking about a `` new era '' in his victory speech . `` With the president elected directly by the citizens , all barriers between the people and the presidential palace have been removed , '' he was reported as saying in his speech by the Turkish media . Here is what you need to know about the historic election . Why does Erdogan want to be president if he is more powerful as prime minister ? The former mayor of Istanbul and the leader and co-founder of the Justice and Development Party ( AKP ) came to power in 2003 and has been serving his third term as prime minister . While the constitution would have allowed Erdogan to run again when his term finishes next year , his own party rules prohibited him from seeking fourth term . His transition to presidency was seen as a logical step for a politician who wanted to maintain political power . Karabekir Akkoyunlu , researcher at the London School of Economics , said the country 's constitution -- drawn up by the military junta in 1982 -- gave the head of state significant authority . Erdogan , Akkoyunlu said , would likely push those to the limit by `` invoking the 'national will ' he claims to embody . '' What issues will he face next ? The Kurdish peace process is one of the most pressing issues of the coming months . Turkey passed a law in July establishing a legal framework for peace talks with the Kurdish militants to end three decades of insurgency . `` The Kurdish peace process is also linked with regional dynamics and the rise of the Islamic State , which is now threatening the Kurds in northern Iraq and Syria , '' Akkoyunlu said . Erdogan will also have to work with the government in trying to tackle Turkey 's economic troubles . The IMF and OECD have both warned Turkey 's economy remains vulnerable to dangers outside its borders . High inflation , low employment and the country 's chronic inequality are putting it at risk . Who else was running ? The main opposition parties , the Republican People 's Party ( CHP ) and the Nationalist Movement Party ( MHP ) had nominated Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu as their joint candidate . The former secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC ) was campaigning on the idea of national unity and secured 38 % of the vote . Selahattin Demirtas , a left-wing politician popular with Turkey 's Kurdish minority , ran for the Peoples ' Democratic Party ( HDP ) and finished third with 10 % . Around 25 % of people in Turkey identify themselves as Kurdish . Why does this matter ? Turkey 's geographical position and cultural make-up has contributed to the country being seen as a powerful bridge between Asia and Europe . Its membership of NATO and candidacy to join the European Union reflect its importance . The country 's $ 800 billion economy is among the 20 biggest in the world and attracts $ 200 billion in foreign direct investment every year . Turkey also plays a key role in the Middle East , bordering Syria , Iraq and Iran . Read more : How Turkey turned into economic mess . Opinion : Turkey 's Teflon politician targets top post . John Defterios : Erdogan looks to secure his place in history .
Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won the country 's first direct presidential election . The president 's role is more formal , he represents the country as the head of the state . But Erdogan has already indicated he will seek more powers as the president .