Recep Tayyip Erdogan suffers a clear defeat in the local elections - what does that mean for him?

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For the first time in more than two decades, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suffered a clear defeat in the local elections. His Islamic-conservative AKP only ended up in second place. Erdogan cannot push the debacle on weak candidates or incompetent party strategists because he had brought himself into the election campaign. In Istanbul, his hometown alone, he appeared six times. If the AKP had won there, it would have been Erdogan's victory. Now it's his defeat.

The reasons for the defeat are not only in the economic crisis that Erdogan has caused with his policy of cheap money. More and more young people in the cities are revolting the restrictions and the creeping Islamization of the state and society. Nevertheless, it is too early to speak of Erdogan's end. He has often been written off politically, but has always put off setbacks.

It remains to be seen which consequences Erdogan draws from defeat. It is unlikely that he will now resume the values ​​of democracy and the rule of law. It is more likely that he will continue to drive his plans for a constitutional reform in order to get the possibility of a further term.

The pressure on the opposition, government critics and civil rights activists should continue to increase. The victorious Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu has proven to be a serious competitor for Erdogan and could be a potential contender for the presidency. However, Erdogan's term of office runs until 2028, in which a lot can still happen.

The following table lists some information about the local elections in Turkey:

| City | Winner | Loser |
| ————– | ————- | —————– |
| Istanbul | Imamoglu | AKP |
| Ankara | Mansur Yavas | AKP |
| Izmir | Tunç Soyer | AKP |
| Antalya | Muhittin Böcek | AKP |
| Bursa | Alinur Aktaş | AKP |

It remains exciting to observe how the political landscape in Turkey will develop for Erdogan after this defeat and whether the opposition can further expand its strength. It remains to be seen whether Erdogan will drive his plans for an authoritarian constitutional reform. The coming years will show what effects this choice will have on Turkish politics.


Source: Berliner Morgenpost/OTS