Istanbul penalized Erdogan with democracy

Analytics 15:49 24.06.2019

On 23 June, Istanbul reran mayoral election, which CHP (Republican People’s Party) candidate, Ekrem Imamoglu won 54% of total votes, by almost 800,000 votes, over Binali Yildirim, AKP (Justice and Development Party) candidate (45%). Turkey’s ruling AK party appealed to YSK (Supreme Electoral Council) for the annulation of the previous election result in Istanbul which held on 31 March, claiming voting irregularities. In the previous election, Imamoglu triumphed over Yildirim by a very small margin, only 13,000 votes. Today this difference seems to be a big blow to President Erdogan and AKP, which could halt Erdogan’s political rise and AKP ruling. So what caused this dramatic difference between these election results?

Political competition of securing winning control of Istanbul is very intensive due to its strategic importance. This city holds the biggest share in Turkey’s economy and a big source of political mobilization. There is a common belief among Turkish people: “Whoever wins Istanbul, wins Turkey.” Winning Istanbul is a big electoral victory for CHP and loss for AKP equally.

The political profile of the candidates played an obvious role during electoral campaigns of the do-over election. Binali Yildirim is a senior AKP politician and a previous minister. Ekrem Imamoglu is rather a new face and barely known in politics. So winning the election was not an easy bet. During the 3 months of the campaigns, Imamoglu has built a very strong and positive political image, and his ‘battle for democracy’ generated the desired results. Erdogan and Yildirim run electoral campaigns together, which were unconstitutional. Moreover, many pro-government newspapers disparaged Imamoglu, TVs mostly broadcasted Erdogan’s and Yildirim’s speeches, which were against the fair election principle. Nevertheless, Imamoglu used the do-over of election against Erdogan successfully. He appealed to demands of the electorate, understood the common need for the political change.

Historically, economic voting in Turkey has been a powerful driver for the electorate to make party preferences. Voters choose political parties to vote based on their economic promises for the future, previous performances. Turkey has been struggling with economic problems for almost 5 years. Today inflation, unemployment rate, unstable economy pushed Turkish people to give up on AKP and seek another political alternative. Economic problems were main issues for Istanbul habitants on 31 March local election. Deteriorating party performance, losing the capacity to rectify the economic situation and corruption scandals all added up to a major political reaction. People showed their demands for the change once again on 23 June with a certain decision.

Another reason for the election defeat was the rejection of common social and political dissatisfaction in the society by AKP. People’s demands for the change were ignored and interpreted as the electoral re-run by AKP. Although there were some portions in AKP electorate, who believed elections results were fraudulent. Erdogan and AKP continued allegations of irregularities and gambled next elections pressuring YSK to annul the results, accusing people and officials irrelevantly. Almost three months of electoral campaigns, different versions of allegations appeared on many government sponsored TV shows, newspapers. Instead of taking electoral loss, bringing new political quarrels up, publishing and broadcasting became the source of disgust at politics. In return, Turkish people showed a decisive behavior at ballot boxes in favor of expecting positive political change.

Islam Mammadov 

Read more:

Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO

News line

Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
20:39 18.03.2024
EU to boost military support fund for Ukraine by EUR 5 bln — Hungarian foreign minister
20:00 18.03.2024
Industrial zones to be created in Azerbaijan’s Zangilan, Jabrayil, and Gubadli
19:16 18.03.2024
Reuters: Only an oil slump can stop Russia
19:00 18.03.2024
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
18:33 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev congratulates people of Azerbaijan on occasion of Novruz holiday - UPDATED
18:00 18.03.2024
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
17:47 18.03.2024
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
17:28 18.03.2024
Armenia’s anti-Russian policy reaches new level
17:11 18.03.2024
"The Middle Corridor plays a key role for Green Energy" - Expert Ali Pasha
16:45 18.03.2024
Central square of Khankandi named “Victory Square”
16:22 18.03.2024
President: We demonstrated tremendous heroism during the II Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation
16:16 18.03.2024
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus visited IEPF - PHOTOS - VIDEO
16:00 18.03.2024
Historic opportunity emerged to advance the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace agenda - FM Bayramov
15:21 18.03.2024
Bayramov and Stoltenberg discuss normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia
15:03 18.03.2024
Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO
14:58 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg's visit to the Caucasus: "NATO is in panic" - OPİNİON
14:29 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
14:00 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg concludes his official visit to Azerbaijan
13:42 18.03.2024
Geomagnetic storm expected on March 20
13:33 18.03.2024
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
13:19 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev makes a phone call to Vladimir Putin
13:00 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev lit Novruz bonfire in Khankandi and congratulated Azerbaijani people
12:34 18.03.2024
Foreign students attacked in India over Ramadan prayers
12:30 18.03.2024
Spring comes to Northern Hemisphere
Spring comes to Northern Hemisphere
12:17 18.03.2024
Why does Azerbaijan matter to the European Union? - OPINION
12:00 18.03.2024
Number of human remains found in mass grave in Khojaly reaches 19
11:45 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev meets Pakistani envoy to China
Hikmat Hajiyev meets Pakistani envoy to China
11:33 18.03.2024
EU Council to discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization
11:23 18.03.2024
Global Terrorism Index: Azerbaijan among countries with highest anti-terror rating worldwide
10:56 18.03.2024
Oil prices keep rising
Oil prices keep rising
10:40 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg: NATO looking forward to further strengthening partnership with Azerbaijan
10:23 18.03.2024
Azerbaijani police found numerous weapons and ammunition in Khankandi
10:10 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev: There is a good chance for settlement of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations
09:57 18.03.2024
Putin warns about possible war between Russia and NATO
09:40 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev meets with Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment of China
09:23 18.03.2024
Azerbaijan relocates 123 more residents to Fuzuli city
08:53 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev held expanded meeting over dinner with Jens Stoltenberg
23:07 17.03.2024
Putin wins the presidential elections for fifth term, exit poll shows
22:43 17.03.2024
COP29 will be turning point, says NATO Secretary-General
21:54 17.03.2024
Hamısı