The political landscape of Turkey has undergone a seismic shift after Sunday’s local elections.
The main secular opposition, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), seized control of key cities and broke President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Islamic-oriented Justice and Development Party (AKP) ‘s 22-year rule.
The CHP not only retained its hold over Istanbul and Ankara but also extended its influence to traditionally AKP-dominated provinces.
With over 90% of the votes counted, Istanbul’s incumbent Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu (CHP) and Ankara’s Mayor Mansur Yavas (CHP) celebrated resounding victories, indicating a substantial change in the public’s sentiment towards Erdogan’s rule, AP reported.
The AKP, in contrast, witnessed its support plummet nationwide, garnering only 36% of the votes against the CHP’s 37%.
This electoral triumph extends the CHP’s dominion to 36 of Turkey’s 81 provinces. This result marks the party’s poorest showing since Erdogan co-founded it in 2001 and ascended to power the following year.
Local elections are held in Turkey. Erdogan’s party got the worst outcome in 22 years rule and became the second party, following the secular party. His nationalist, islamist alliance parties deserted him this time
2015 vs 2024 results,
Yellow: Erdogan
Red: Seculars
Purle: Kurds pic.twitter.com/9wuR2pcSee— exmuslim (@reddit_exmuslim) April 1, 2024
In an address from the presidential palace, Erdogan conceded the electoral defeat, acknowledging the need for “courageous” self-criticism and vowing to “correct our mistakes.”
The CHP’s victory is hailed as a ‘revolution at the ballot box’ by the secular nationalist daily Sozcu, while other opposition outlets, like Cumhuriyet, celebrate the “historic victory.”
WATCH:
Turkish opposition leader, the Chairman of the Kemalist CHP, Ozgur Ozel says the electorate decided to create “a new electoral map” after 22 years of Conservative AKP rule.
“Today, the voters decided to establish a new politics in Turkey,” he said. “There are no… pic.twitter.com/kpfEFHY30g
— Emeka Gift Official (@EmekaGift100) April 1, 2024
The widespread celebration suggests a yearning for change from Erdogan’s authoritarian tilt and a revitalization of democratic ideals in the country.
WATCH:
BREAKING: Turkish citizens celebrate as Dictator Erdogan’s party loses in Turkey’s mayoral elections.
The people of Turkey are finally waking up!! pic.twitter.com/woqfOftpll
— Enes FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) April 1, 2024
“Turkey is secular and will remain secular.”
Turkey’s main opposition party has claimed big election victories in the main cities of Istanbul,Ankara and Izmir. pic.twitter.com/zNW9vcV3SN
— Breaking News (@TheNewsTrending) April 1, 2024
Woman, Life, Freedom!
In Kurdish city of Batman in Turkey, after the defeat of the Islamist AKP.pic.twitter.com/8zumbC7S2p— Maziar (@Muzyar) April 1, 2024
