Turkey’s main opposition party has celebrated significant victories in the key cities of Istanbul and Ankara, dealing a blow to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s hopes of regaining control. In a stunning turn of events, the secular opposition party CHP emerged triumphant, securing Istanbul for the second time with over 50% of the vote. The incumbent mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, defeated the candidate from Erdogan’s AK Party by a staggering margin of more than 11 points and nearly one million votes. This marks the first nationwide defeat of Erdogan’s party in 21 years.
The setback extended to the capital city of Ankara, where opposition mayor Mansur Yavas claimed an early victory with a commanding lead of 60% of the votes. The opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) also secured wins in significant cities, including Izmir, Adana, and Antalya. Political analysts view this as the biggest electoral defeat of Erdogan’s career and the party’s best performance since 1977.
The opposition’s triumph in Istanbul and Ankara signifies a significant show of force against the ruling party, highlighting the enduring power of local politics and mayoral leadership. Supporters expressed their desire for a more secular Turkey that respects human rights. With an estimated 61 million eligible voters participating in the election and a turnout of over 77%, the results reflect a significant shift in Turkish politics and set the stage for a potential reshaping of the country’s political landscape.
