Local elections will be held in 81 provinces in Turkey on Sunday. About 61 million people can elect mayors, among other things. The focus is on the metropolis of Istanbul.
Erdogan’s Islamic-conservative AKP had lost the capital to the opposition for five years and now wants to win it back. Viewed in this way, the elections are also a sentiment test for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was re-elected about ten months ago. Polls show a tight race between AKP candidate Murat Kurum (47) and Ekrem Imamoglu (53) of the main opposition party CHP.
Future challenger to Erdogan?
If the AKP wins back Istanbul, Erdogan, who was previously mayor there, will further consolidate his power. However, if Imamoglu wins again, he could become the incumbent president’s challenger in the next presidential elections.
About 16 million people live in Istanbul and about a third of Turkey’s economic output is generated there. Topics in the election campaign included massive inflation of around 67 percent and infrastructure projects. However, it was not considered fair because the majority of media in Turkey is under direct or indirect government control.
A delegation from the Council of Europe and the Left Party observes the elections on site. The first official results should be available late Sunday evening.
Source: Krone
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