Russian expats in Turkey 'happy' over Putin re-election

By Mustafa Kurt and Yunus Icen

ANTALYA, Turkey

Russian expats in Turkey's southern resort city of Antalya say they are pleased with the re-election of Vladimir Putin as their president for the fourth time.

"Putin is not re-elected merely because of his success in strengthening the economy, but he has also succeeded in maintaining the Russian stance in the international political arena," said Ekaterina Gunduz.

Gunduz, like many Russian expats, voted for the presidential election at the Russian consulate in Antalya. She is also the head of a Russian cultural and educational association in Antalya's Alanya district.

Turkish-Russian relations have been "smooth and great" under Putin, said Gunduz.

Yanina Donmez, 32, praised the simplicity of expat voting in Turkey, adding she was also happy to see Putin re-elected.

Daria Oztekin, a mother of three who has been living in the district of Kemer for 16 years, said: "I voted for the first time in Kemer and I would like to thank our consulate. It was a chance for us, the elections were concluded as expected."

Russian President Vladimir Putin won a landslide re-election victory scoring a record 76 percent of the vote on March 18 for a new six-year term.

Putin has ruled Russia as either president or premier since 1999.