Turkey: Opposition Wins Local Elections (osw.waw.pl)

• CHP wins 37.8% of national vote, AKP 35.5%
• İmamoğlu re-elected in Istanbul with 51.1%
• Economic crisis and YRP competition weaken AKP

"On 31 March 2024, Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) won the local elections with 37.8% of the national vote, defeating the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) at 35.5%. The CHP retained major metropolises, including Istanbul where incumbent mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu won re-election with 51.1%. The AKP's poor result is attributed to the economic crisis, demobilisation of its electorate, and the emergence of the Islamist New Welfare Party (YRP) which captured 6.2% nationwide. Nationalist parties MHP and İYİ weakened significantly. The vote signals a shift in Turkey's political landscape but has limited impact on national governance due to centralisation."