Erdogan Victory Strengthens Turkey's Role in Balkans

Hundreds of Kosovars in the southern town of Prizren joined the celebration of the Justice and Development (AK) party's victory on Sunday, some carrying banners with Erdogan's picture and chanting his party's slogans, others driving around waving Turkish flags.

In the Macedonian capital Skopje, a stage was set up in the old Turkish bazaar in the centre of the city, where a group of mainly Turkish people followed the election's progress live. A fireworks display was launched after the first results were announced.

The festivity was joined by Bosniaks and Albanians from Macedonia who celebrated the AK Party's win by driving though the city with Turkish flags until late into the night.

Albanians also celebrated in the northern Macedonian town of Tetovo with fireworks and street celebrations.  

A small number of Erdogan's supporters gathered meanwhile in front of the old Bosnian National Library in the capital Sarajevo, waving Bosnian and Turkish flags. 

The celebrations and praises were a testimony to the strong political, diplomatic but also economic influence that Turkey has established across the Balkans in recent years, especially during Erdogan's reign.

With almost all the votes counted by Sunday evening, election results showed that the AK Party has secured a clear majority, reversing the losses it suffered in a previous election in June.

This result was welcomed by Muslims across the Balkans who see Turkey as a traditional friend and Erdogan as a champion whose political and economic support has reinforced their own positions in a fragile region dominated by Roman Catholic and Orthodox populations.

But respect for Erdgoan crosses the ethnic lines in the Balkans.  

Serbian Premier Aleksandar Vucic was...