Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), achieved a significant victory in Sunday’s local elections, retaining control over key cities and making gains in other areas. In Istanbul, CHP candidate Ekrem Imamoglu was leading by a wide margin, while Ankara’s mayor, Mansur Yavas, also secured his seat with a significant difference over his challenger. Overall, the CHP won municipalities in 36 out of Turkey’s 81 provinces, marking their greatest success since Erdogan came to power two decades ago, with 37% of the nationwide vote compared to the president’s party’s 36%.
President Erdogan acknowledged the electoral setback in a speech, recognizing the loss suffered by his party and pledging to analyze the message sent by the voters. He expressed a commitment to correcting mistakes and addressing shortcomings while continuing with his economic programs aimed at combating inflation. The local elections were seen as a test of Erdogan’s popularity as he sought to regain control of urban areas lost to the opposition in previous elections, most notably in Istanbul and Ankara, where the CHP secured significant victories in the past.
Opposition leader Ozgur Ozel hailed the election results as a decision by the voters to establish a new political order in Turkey, opening the door to a new political climate in the country. Analysts attributed the surprising outcome to voter dissatisfaction with the ruling party over economic challenges, particularly skyrocketing inflation that has affected many households. Erdogan’s party faced a significant shift in support, with some AKP supporters either abstaining from voting or choosing to support other parties, resulting in a lower voter turnout compared to past elections.
Despite reports of violence in some regions, overall voter turnout was around 76%, with more than 61 million eligible voters participating. Imamoglu won 50.6% of the votes in Istanbul, while AKP candidate Murat Kurum received 40.5%. The election results have positioned Imamoglu as a possible future challenger to Erdogan for the presidency, with his victory signaling a potential shift in political dynamics in the country. The election outcome also highlighted the emergence of new parties attracting disillusioned AKP supporters and potential challenges to Erdogan’s rule beyond 2028.
The local elections in Turkey have set the stage for a new political landscape, with the CHP’s success reshaping the power dynamics in key cities and provinces. The opposition’s victories in Istanbul and Ankara have dealt a blow to Erdogan’s ruling party, signaling a shift in public sentiment and voter priorities. As Turkey navigates through a period of economic challenges and political realignment, the results of the local elections have raised questions about the future direction of the country’s governance and the potential for new leadership to emerge in the coming years.
