Erdogan Pays Heavy Electoral Price As Turkey Battles High Inflation

Turkey voters have red-flagged the ruling Justice and Development Party or AKP, of President Erdogan. He has for the first time lost to the main opposition in the municipal elections.

The Republican People’s Party or CHP not only retained its control over the capital Ankara, but also the country’s biggest city Istanbul.

It also made big gains in other urban centres, state media reported. It’s the CHP’s biggest electoral victory since Erdogan took power 20 years ago.

The elections were projected as a test of the President’s popularity, and he was particularly keen on wresting back Ankara and Istanbul. The defeat will hurt even more, given that Erdogan won the presidential elections held 10 months ago. Addressing supporters from the party headquarters, he admitted making mistakes.

“Unfortunately, nine months after our victory in the May 28 elections, we could not get the result we wanted in the local election test. We will correct our mistakes and redress our shortcomings,” said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ordinary Turks have been paying a heavy price for essential items as inflations hovers around the 70 per cent mark. And last month, the central bank hiked key interest rates to 50 per cent, the highest under Erdogan’s rule. Voters have delivered a message and we will analyse that, Erdogan said, even as he vowed to press ahead with an economic programme to combat inflation.

In Istanbul, the country’s economic hub, incumbent mayor Ekrem Imamoglu from the Opposition CHP called it a pivotal moment not just for the city but for democracy.

“As we celebrate our victory, we send a resounding message to the world: the decline of democracy ends now. Istanbul stands as a beacon of hope, a testament to the resilience of democratic values in the face of rising authoritarianism,” said Imamoglu.

In Ankara, CHP supporters cheered every bit of the address by CHP boss Ozgur Ozel, who said voters had opened the door to a new political order. He said, “Our nation has given a clear message to those who have reduced their bread. Those who have been ignored have given a clear message to those who rule the country. This election is the first step towards greater victories in the future.”

Analysts say had Erdogan’s party done well, it could have boosted his resolve of bringing in a new constitution, which would reflect his conservative values and allow him to rule beyond 2028 when his current term ends. The election results are definitely a setback but with dictators, one never knows what’s up next.