Turkey: The Fall of AKP in Istanbul

When almost ninety-eight per cent of the total votes polled in the Istanbul re-election have been counted, the AKP has been pushed far behind its prime rival, CHP, which was forced to contest in a re-election even when it secured an impressive victory in the first election.

Interestingly, this time, the difference between the CHP and the AKP is much higher that what it was during the first election –then it was very narrow.

The increase clearly indicates that there is no ground in the AKP’s earlier allegation that the CHP involved in corrupt practices to secure victory in the region.

Earlier, there were reports that it was Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who forced the concerned to call for a re-election in the region as he was unwilling the digest the defeat that his party faced in his strong hold over which he has an emotional attachment.

When the initial trends have been publicised, the President has congratulated the winning faction through his social media handle.

Ekrem Imamoglu is the candidate of the CHP and President’s close friend Binali Yildrim is the candidate of the ruling AKP.

The AKP candidate has conceded his defeat and congratulated his opponent, following the path of his leader.

Istanbul is the most populated city in Turkey and is the capital of the country. Also, it is the centre of the country’s business activities. For these reasons, the latest loss is a big blow to the ruling. What the CHP’s triumph has marked is the demise of the decades-long domination of the AKP in the region.

There is a saying in Turkey “those who win Istanbul win Turkey”.

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