Ekrem Imamoglu Secures Second Term as Istanbul Mayor
In a surprising turn of events, Ekrem Imamoglu has won a second term as the mayor of Istanbul, positioning the opposition party CHP at the forefront of Turkish politics.
Opposition Party’s Victory Shakes Turkish Politics
In a significant blow to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the main opposition party in Turkey secured major election wins in Istanbul and Ankara. These local poll results dealt a setback to Erdogan’s plans to regain control of these cities following his third presidential term victory.
Erdogan had campaigned extensively in Istanbul, a city where he has deep roots and previously served as mayor. However, Ekrem Imamoglu, who first won local elections in 2019, achieved another victory for the secular opposition CHP.
Imamoglu, expressing his joy, proclaimed, “My dear Istanbulites, you have ushered in a new future today. Tomorrow, Turkey will be transformed. You have opened the door to democracy, equality, and freedom… You have sparked hope at the ballot box.”
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel, moved to tears, stated, “These election results indicate a desire for a new political landscape in Turkey.”
Erdogan Faces First Defeat in 21 Years
For the first time in his 21-year rule, Erdogan’s AKP party suffered a defeat nationwide. In Istanbul, with 92.92% of ballot boxes counted, Imamoglu secured 50.92% of the votes compared to AKP’s Murat Kurum’s 40.05%.
In Ankara, opposition mayor Mansur Yavas claimed victory with over 59% of the votes counted. The CHP also saw success in other major cities like Izmir, Bursa, Adana, and Antalya.
Erdogan Acknowledges Historic Defeat
Reflecting on the election results, President Erdogan admitted it was not the outcome they had anticipated but called it a “turning point” rather than an end. He emphasized democracy as the primary winner of the election.
Erdogan pledged to address any mistakes and shortcomings, promising to rebuild trust where the nation had chosen differently. At an AKP gathering, he expressed his gratitude to supporters, declaring, “I am deeply devoted to you.”
