In a pivotal moment for Turkish politics, the primary opposition party is leading in key cities like Istanbul and Ankara amid intense local elections.
Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul’s opposition mayor since 2019, expressed satisfaction with the preliminary results, highlighting the favourable outlook. Following his 2019 presidential campaign, Recep Tayyip Erdogan aimed to win back Istanbul, his hometown and a former stronghold. The opposition appeared to dominate the evening, with their candidates advancing significantly.
With 80% of Istanbul’s votes counted, Imamoglu maintains a double-digit lead over the ruling party’s candidate. In Ankara, the secular coalition’s Mansur Yavas leads with 59% of the vote, declaring victory with half the votes yet to be counted.
The main opposition party, the CHP, anticipates winning in other key cities like Izmir, Bursa, and Antalya, suggesting a potential shift in Turkey’s political landscape.
CHP Party Chief Ozgur Ozel credited voters with driving a historic political change, aiming for a new era in Turkish politics. Filled with hope for the future, supporters rallied in Istanbul’s Sarachane district, chanting optimistic slogans.
The local election results, particularly significant in Istanbul due to its sizeable population and economic impact, could signal a new direction for Turkey’s political future.
