Is a course correction coming?

Election debacle: Erdogan speaks of “mistakes”

Erdogan is in a bad way after the bitter election defeats.(Bild: APA/AFP/ADEM ALTAN)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signaled a course correction following the defeat of his AKP in the local elections. "If we have made a mistake, we will correct it," Erdogan said on Monday. However, he left open which changes he wanted to make.

"This is not the end for us, but a turning point," said Erdogan at the headquarters of his national conservative party in Ankara. The opposition CHP had achieved almost 38 percent of the vote nationwide and was more than two points ahead of the AKP. Erdogan himself was only elected for a further five years in May 2023. The local elections, in which city and municipal councils were also newly elected, were seen as an important test of public opinion.

Praise and criticism from election observers
Independent election observers spoke of an orderly process, but also voiced criticism. "Overall, the election day was calm and professionally organized, with a high voter turnout, which shows a strong commitment of citizens to democratic processes," said David Eray, head of the observation mission appointed by the Council of Europe. However, the elections took place "in a highly polarized environment", added deputy head Vladimir Prebilic. More must be done "to ensure a political and media environment in which there is genuine freedom of expression and a reasonable and well-implemented framework under the supervision of an independent judiciary".

Istanbul mayor: "The time of one-person rule is over"
In the metropolis of Istanbul, the incumbent mayor Ekrem Imamoglu of the CHP came out on top. He received 51 percent of the vote, putting him eleven points ahead of his AKP challenger. Polls had previously indicated a close race. "The era of one-person rule is over as of today," said Imamoglu. The 53-year-old former businessman is being touted as a future presidential candidate.

Istanbul election winner Ekrem Imamoglu takes a selfie in the crowd.(Bild: APA/AFP/YASIN AKGUL)

Megainflation causes problems for Erdogan
Analysts blame high inflation for the AKP's loss of votes. The current inflation rate is almost 70 percent. Erdogan asked for patience in the face of slower economic growth and high borrowing costs. Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said that the austerity program would continue.