Turkey: Erdogan defeats key opponent to reclaim Istanbul in local polls

Sunday’s nationwide municipal elections in Turkey will be centered on President Tayyip Erdogan’s attempt to retake Istanbul from his main opponent, Ekrem Imamoglu, who wants to revive the opposition as a political force following crushing losses in the previous election.

With his victory in the 2019 election, Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu delivered Erdogan and his AK Party their worst electoral setback in two decades in office. In 2023, the president retaliated by working with his nationalist friends to win reelection and a majority in parliament.

The results of Sunday’s vote may now strengthen Erdogan’s hold on NATO member Turkey or herald a shift in the political landscape of this significant rising economy. Imamoglu’s victory is perceived as boosting anticipation that he will one day lead the country as leader.

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In eastern Turkey, polling places open at 7 a.m. (0400 GMT), while voting in other parts of the country begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Initial findings should be available by 10:00 p.m. (1900 GMT).

In Istanbul, a 16 million-person metropolis that powers Turkey’s economy, Imamoglu is up against AKP contender and former minister Murat Kurum, according to polls.

The outcome is expected to be influenced by Kurdish and Islamist voters evaluating the performance of the administration and their expectations for political change, as well as economic hardships brought on by excessive inflation of around 70%.

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Erdogan’s primary goal is Istanbul, but he also wants to retake Ankara as the capital. After 25 years of being ruled by his AKP and Islamist predecessors, both cities were captured by the opposition in 2019.

The dissolution of the opposition coalition that Erdogan vanquished last year has improved his chances, but Imamoglu continues to draw support from voters outside of his own opposition Republican People’s Party.

The largest pro-Kurdish party’s voters were essential to Imamoglu’s victory in 2019. Although their DEM party is running a separate candidate in Istanbul this time, it is anticipated that many Kurds will abandon party loyalty and support him once more.

In the predominantly Kurdish southeast, DEM is seeking to reassert its influence after the state removed mayors from pro-Kurdish parties in the wake of earlier elections on the grounds of suspected ties to extremists.

Dissatisfaction with the Islamist-rooted AKP’s economic management and a surge in support for the Islamist New Welfare Party, which has taken a tough stance against Israel over the Gaza crisis, are two factors that are working against Erdogan.

(With agency inputs)