In a big show of power and economy, Turkey’ main Opposition party – Republican People’ s Party has ousted the incumbent President’ hopes to win big in the local elections held on 31st March.
Amidst the cry for economic stability, the countrymen marched to elect local municipal and metropolitan mayors.
Glancing at the just-concluded local elections
Two main cities – Istanbul and Ankara, of indispensable significance were at the front-run for this years local elections.
Istanbul – a city rooted in growth and economic occupation was at the center of the electoral contestation between political alliances with President Erdogan contemplating all through his election campaign to revitalize his lost supremacy in a city domiciling 15 million people.
In his countless media interactions, the President addressed the people of Istanbul proclaiming his plans for economic restoration.
Despite his consistent efforts and hopes, the incumbent mayor of Istanbul – Ekrem Imamoglu of the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, retrieved his position for a second consecutive time in Turkey’s largest city by a wide margin. With more than 90% ballot boxes counted – 51% votes were pronounced for the Istanbul mayor with only 40% casted for Murat Kurum of the ruling Justice and Development Party , or AKP, setting President Erdogan for a major setback.
Another win in Ankara
Before the former setback could be sunken by Erdogan, Ankara, the capital city of Turkey with a population of more than 5.1 million urban-class citizens reinstated Mansur Yavas of the Republican People’s Party as for the mayorship for a second consecutive term. Clashing against his opponent, he garnered 61% vote share, setting himself up for a stunning victory.
CHP in celebratory mood
The astounding victory for the main Opposition party – CHP, for it won municipalities of 36 of Turkey’s 81 provinces, re-adrenalized their lost confidence after they faced demoralizing defeat in the 2023 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
A huge congregation of jubilant party supporters gathered outside Ankara City Hall celebrating Mansur Yavas’ victory.
On the other hand, the disheartened supports of the ruling party maintained their irrefutable support for the Party leader and the President. Many calling it out as a opportunity for the latter to “self-introspect” and “analyze” the economic malaise which has induced inflationary crisis in the country.
Capitalizing on the unwavering economic crisis in the country, the Opposition party has stationed itself in a strong landscape for the next Presidential elections. Disillusioned by the soaring inflation and the skyrocketing prices of daily consumable goods, many former AKP supporters have derailed to alter their support to a new religious party, The New Welfare Party, or YRP.
Ekrem Imamoglu, the chosen Istanbul mayor has been touted as a competent figure and a future challenger to Erdogan Presidentship. Thrusting Imamoglu into the role of possible leader of the Opposition will impose new layer of challenges for the incumbent President as he strives to decompress the economic calamity first.
