Opposition candidates and voters in Turkey were in celebratory spirits on Monday following a significant defeat inflicted on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party in municipal elections.
Murat Akgun, a 46-year-old small business owner in Istanbul, compared the victory to the feeling of a second sun rising, expressing overwhelming happiness.
Although official results had not been announced, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) declared victories in all major cities and even expanded into provinces considered Erdogan strongholds. Across Turkey, the CHP secured 35 provincial capitals compared to the AKP’s 24, with the pro-Kurdish party DEM winning 10 and the Islamist party Yeniden Refah securing two seats.
Key cities like Istanbul, Ankara, Adana, Bursa, and Antalya elected CHP mayors less than a year after Erdogan faced a setback in a failed presidential challenge. Many attributed the election outcome to issues such as inflation at 67 percent and a significant devaluation of the lira over the past year, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among the public.
Observers labeled this defeat Erdogan’s most significant election setback since his party came into power in 2002. The poor economic conditions played a central role, with citizens expressing frustration over rising prices and heavy taxation on essential goods and services.
In response to the election results, pro-government commentator Abdulkadir Selvi acknowledged that a new political dynamic has emerged in Turkey. The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, commended the election process for its professionalism and noted the public’s dedication to local democracy.
The EU looks forward to working with Turkey on reforms that could bring the country closer to the bloc after negotiations for its accession were halted in 2018. Turkey has been a candidate for EU membership since 1999.
