Preliminary results from local elections in Turkey show that candidates from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) are leading ahead of their rivals from the AK Party in key cities like Ankara and Istanbul. With partial results in, Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu from the CHP is ahead in Istanbul with 50.05% of the vote, while Mayor Mansur Yavas of CHP leads in Ankara with 58.2%. The CHP is also leading in other major cities like Izmir, Bursa, Antalya, and Adana.
Imamoglu expressed gratitude for the support from citizens and emphasized that the election results are not final until they are officially confirmed. Erdogan, on the other hand, stated that the election marks a new era for the country.
The local elections, in which 61 million people were eligible to vote, are considered a test of Erdogan’s popularity and the opposition’s strength. Analysts believe that if Erdogan were to win back control of Istanbul and Ankara, he may push for constitutional changes to seek a fourth term in office. However, an Imamoglu victory could position him as a strong contender against Erdogan in the next presidential election in 2028.
Overall, the partial results suggest a significant setback for Erdogan and his AK Party, signaling potential changes in the political landscape of Turkey.