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:

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

Israeli army says 5 soldiers killed, 14 injured in northern Gaza
11:45 08.07.2025
Brazil’s president sounds alarm over multilateralism crisis, condemns Gaza genocide at BRICS summit
11:30 08.07.2025
Protest Held in London Backing Pro-Palestine March Organizers Accused of Offences
11:15 08.07.2025
Japan to make diplomatic efforts to ensure implementation of Israel-Iran ceasefire: Top diplomat
11:00 08.07.2025
Trump Holds Talks with Netanyahu at the White House
10:45 08.07.2025
Trump says US has 'scheduled Iran talks'
10:30 08.07.2025
Trump says US will supply weapons to Ukraine
10:15 08.07.2025
Priorities of Azerbaijan's international development policy discussed
10:00 08.07.2025
US to impose 25% duties on imports from Kazakhstan from August
09:45 08.07.2025
Plans for border delimitation, demarcation with Armenia discussed in Baku
09:30 08.07.2025
Israel wants to coordinate with US on possibility of new strikes on Iran
09:15 08.07.2025
Netanyahu nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
09:00 08.07.2025
Geno rejects signing of 38-year-old Jamie Vardy
21:00 07.07.2025
Gaza death toll passes 57,500 as Israeli attacks continue unabated
20:45 07.07.2025
Russian emergencies minister arrives in Baku
20:25 07.07.2025
Trump due to meet Netanyahu at White House
20:15 07.07.2025
Russia attacks recruitment centers in Ukraine's Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia
20:00 07.07.2025
Pezeshkian says Israel attempted assassination against him
19:45 07.07.2025
Iran has military capability to strike Israel daily for 2 years, IRGC adviser says
19:20 07.07.2025
US envoy says ‘satisfied’ with Lebanese response on roadmap to disarm Hezbollah
19:00 07.07.2025
Peskov: Russia, Azerbaijan should remain close partners, allies
18:45 07.07.2025
The Gulf Observer: Armenians' destruction of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage - vandalism against all humanity
18:30 07.07.2025
Official: Nearly 1M foreigners arrived in Azerbaijan in 5 months of 2025
18:15 07.07.2025
Chief of General Staff of Azerbaijan Army visits Saudi Arabia
18:00 07.07.2025
Israeli PM approved Yemen airstrikes during his flight to US
17:45 07.07.2025
Expert: ECO Summit in Khankendi confirmed member countries' desire for inclusive, multipolar world
17:30 07.07.2025
AZAL introduces new online service
17:15 07.07.2025
Poland imposes checks on German and Lithuanian borders amid migration fears
17:00 07.07.2025
Saudi Arabia raises August oil prices for Asia, Europe buyers
16:45 07.07.2025
EU Reporter: Karabakh region became platform for int'l forums
16:15 07.07.2025
Georgian PM says direct foreign interference in democratic elections failed
16:00 07.07.2025
Typhoon Danas kills two in Taiwan, injures over 500
15:45 07.07.2025
'Coalition of the Willing' may fall apart over Starmer-Macron conflict
15:30 07.07.2025
Former Adjara head hospitalized with gunshot wound in Georgia
15:15 07.07.2025
Scientists reveal how caffeine slows down aging
15:00 07.07.2025
Thailand to offer US more trade concessions to avert 36% tariff
14:45 07.07.2025
Putin dismisses transport minister
14:30 07.07.2025
Israel carries out strikes on Houthi-controlled power station, ports across Yemen
14:15 07.07.2025
UK to name Iran as one of its biggest threats
14:00 07.07.2025
Armenia rejects possibility of using country's territory for military purposes
13:45 07.07.2025
Hamısı