With more than 40% of the votes counted, the preliminary results of local elections in Turkey show that representatives of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) will retain power in the country’s two main cities, Istanbul and Ankara.
After a recount of about 41.43% of the votes, the mayoral election of Istanbul, a city of 16 million people, has been won by the CHP’s candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has been heading the municipal government from 2019, according to data presented Sunday by the official Anatolia agency. He has received 50% of votes.
In second place is former Environment Minister from Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Murat Kurum with a score of around 41.26%.
“Based on the data we have gathered, I can say that the favor and trust our citizens have in us have indeed been demonstrated,” İmamoğlu said during a press briefing on Sunday, following the announcement of initial results.
“The current picture greatly pleases us,” he added.
State-run Anadolu Agency also published partial official tallies showing the main opposition CHP leading in big cities such as Izmir, Bursa, Antalya and Adana.
According to partial results, the CHP is leading nationwide by almost 39% of the votes, a first in 35 years.
The CHP’s İmamoğlu had dealt Erdoğan and his AKP the biggest electoral blow of his two decades in power after winning the 2019 vote. The president struck back in 2023 by securing re-election and a parliament majority with his nationalist allies.
In second place is former Environment Minister from Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Murat Kurum with a score of around 41.26%.
“Based on the data we have gathered, I can say that the favor and trust our citizens have in us have indeed been demonstrated,” İmamoğlu said during a press briefing on Sunday, following the announcement of initial results.
“The current picture greatly pleases us,” he added.
State-run Anadolu Agency also published partial official tallies showing the main opposition CHP leading in big cities such as Izmir, Bursa, Antalya and Adana.
According to partial results, the CHP is leading nationwide by almost 39% of the votes, a first in 35 years.
The CHP’s İmamoğlu had dealt Erdoğan and his AKP the biggest electoral blow of his two decades in power after winning the 2019 vote. The president struck back in 2023 by securing re-election and a parliament majority with his nationalist allies.
Source: Reuters
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