Istanbul's Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, gives thanks in a speech in front of the city hall for being re-elected as the leader of the city's 16 million inhabitants. His secular party, CHP, has also triumphed in the capital Ankara and other large cities. Photo: Yasin Akgul/Ritzau Scanpix
Turkish president loses big cities in elections
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conceded defeat in local elections, losing Istanbul and other cities to the opposition. The Republican People’s Party (CHP) scored victories, challenging Erdogan’s AKP, which had a stronghold in Anatolian provinces. High inflation and currency devaluation contributed to AKP’s decline. Erdogan called it a ‘turning point,’ promising to honor the outcome. CHP’s success in cities like Ankara and Istanbul solidifies its position, with Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as a potential presidential candidate in 2028.