Turkey’s Principal Opposition Party Celebrates Major Wins in Istanbul and Ankara
The recent election results mark a significant setback for Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had aimed to reclaim control of key cities within a year after securing his third presidential term.
Despite Erdogan’s personal involvement in the Istanbul campaign, where he once served as mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu of the secular opposition CHP clinched victory for a second time.
Imamoglu’s triumph, securing over 50% of the vote, dealt a blow to Erdogan’s AK Party, winning by a margin exceeding 11 points and nearly one million votes.
This electoral upset marks the first time in Erdogan’s 21-year reign that his party faced a nationwide defeat.
In the capital city of Ankara, opposition figure Mansur Yavas dominated with 60% of the vote, declaring victory with less than half of the ballots counted. Supporters flooded the streets, celebrating with flags and car horns.
The CHP’s success extended beyond Istanbul and Ankara, securing wins in Izmir, Adana, and Antalya. Notably, they gained control of major cities like Bursa and Balikesir in the northwest, as well as Adiyaman, which had been grappling with the aftermath of last year’s devastating earthquakes.