Erdogan’s Party Suffers Blow after Istanbul Re-run Poll Defeat

Turkey’s ruling AK Party has lost control of Istanbul after a re-run of the city’s mayoral election, delivering a stinging blow to President Erdogan.

With nearly all ballots counted, main opposition party candidate Ekrem Imamoglu had a lead of 775,000 votes, a huge increase on the margin of 13,000 he achieved in the earlier election, BBC reported.

That victory in March was annulled after the AKP alleged irregularities.

The result ends 25 years of AKP rule in Istanbul.

The AKP’s candidate, former Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, conceded to his opponent.

 In his victory speech, Imamoglu, of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), said the result marked a “new beginning” for both the city and the country. He said his supporters had “fixed democracy”.

“We are opening up a new page in Istanbul,” he said. “On this new page, there will be justice, equality, love.”

With 99% of votes counted, Mr Imamoglu had 54% of the vote and Mr Yildirim 45%.

H.M