| Author (Corporate) | Cardiff EDC (Compiler) |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 2019 |
| Content Type | Overview |
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Summary: Reports and analyses related to the local elections held in Turkey in March 2019. Further information: Local elections in Turkey were held on 31 March throughout all 81 provinces of Turkey. 1651 metropolitain and municipal majors as well as 21751 provincial and municipal councillors were elected for five years. While the Justice and Development Party (AKP) still remained the strongest force in Turkey (nationwide the AKP-led alliances won 51, 6 % of the votes), it had lost its majority in several key cities, including Ankara and Istanbul, to the Republican People's Party (CHP). It is the first time in 25 years that the CHP won the mayoral seat in Turkey's capital, which had been ruled since 1994 by the AKP. President Tayyip Erdogan’s Party (AKP) demanded a recount in Istanbul. On Tuesday, 9 April, a member of Turkey’s High Election Board said that the request to recount all votes in 31 Istanbul districts had been rejected. On 17 April, Ekrem İmamoğlu of the CHP was named Istanbul mayor. The AKP applied for the Istanbul election to be cancelled and held again. Turkey's Supreme Election Council (YSK) annulled the victory of Ekrem İmamoğlu in May. The new vote was held on 23 June. Imamoglu secured 54, 12% of votes, a far wider victory margin than his narrow win in March. The decision to re-run the vote was criticised by Western allies and domestic opponents who said Turkey's democracy was under threat. |
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| Subject Categories | Politics and International Relations |
| Subject Tags | Regional | Local Elections |
| Countries / Regions | Turkey |
