Turkey held a fiercely fought election on Sunday, with the potential to unseat President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been in power since 2003. The initial results began trickling in on Monday, with some surprising outcomes.

The main opposition party, The Republican People’s Party (CHP), appeared to be performing strongly in the early results, winning some key provinces. In Istanbul, the country’s largest city, CHP candidate Ekrem Imamoglu was ahead of his AK Party opponent by a significant margin. This was a major upset for Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which has held the city since 2002.

In Ankara, the capital city, early results showed the CHP candidate Mansur Yavas also in the lead. This was another blow for the AK Party, which has held the city since 1994.

The CHP’s strong performance was seen as a reflection of growing dissatisfaction with Erdogan’s government, particularly over Economic issues. Turkey has been struggling with high inflation and unemployment rates, as well as a weakening currency. Many voters appeared to be turning against the president’s policies and his increasingly authoritarian style of government.

However, the final outcome of the election was still uncertain, with many votes yet to be counted. Erdogan’s AK Party was still expected to perform well in many rural areas, where it has traditionally been strong. The party also has a strong base of support among conservative Muslims, who make up a significant portion of the population.

Erdogan himself was not on the ballot, but the election was widely seen as a referendum on his rule. He has been accused of cracking down on opposition voices and limiting press freedom, as well as taking a more aggressive stance in foreign policy.

The president has also been criticized for his handling of the economy, which has seen inflation rates soar to over 17%, and unemployment rates rise to around 14%. The country’s currency, the lira, has also lost value against major currencies like the US dollar and Euro.

Despite these challenges, Erdogan has remained popular with many Turks, particularly those who see him as a strong leader who has improved the country’s standing on the global stage. He has overseen major infrastructure projects like the Istanbul Airport and the Istanbul Canal, and has played a key role in regional politics, particularly in the conflict in Syria.

The election was also seen as a test for Turkey’s democracy, which has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years. Erdogan has been accused of suppressing opposition voices and limiting press freedom, as well as cracking down on civil society organizations and dissenting academics.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/14/europe/turkey-election-polls-results-erdogan-intl/index.html

The run-up to the election was marred by violence, with at least three people killed in clashes between rival party supporters. There were also concerns about the fairness of the vote, with the opposition accusing the government of trying to rig the election through measures like ballot stuffing and voter intimidation.

International observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) were monitoring the vote, and their findings are expected to be released in the coming days.

The election was also being closely watched by other countries, particularly Turkey’s neighbors in the Middle East. Erdogan has played a key role in regional politics, particularly in the conflict in Syria, and his government’s policies have had a significant impact on the region.

Overall, the election was seen as a pivotal moment for Turkey, with the potential to reshape the country’s political landscape. The final results, which are expected to be announced in the coming days, will determine whether Erdogan’s grip on power will continue or whether a new era of Turkish politics is about to begin.

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