Istanbul mayoral election rerun: Erdogan suffers major blow as ruling party defeated in second vote

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suffered a major blow after his candidate for Istanbul mayor was defeated in a repeat election.

Mr Erdogan tweeted to congratulate opposition candidate Ekrem Imamoglu, who lead with 54% in early results compared to 45% for the Turkish president’s chosen candidate, Binali Yildirim.

The president wrote: “I congratulate Ekrem Imamoglu who won the election according to unofficial results.

Ekrem Imamoglu greets supporters after his election win

Ekrem Imamoglu greets supporters after his election win

“As before, we will walk to our goals in unity and togetherness… without compromising democracy, the rule of law, peace, prosperity and stability of our country.”

Mr Imamoglu previously won a mayoral election on 31 March, but Erdogan’s ruling party challenged the vote and the results were annulled after weeks of partial recounts.

The opposition candidate was stripped of the post of mayor after serving just 18 days and another election was ordered.

Concerns were raised about the voided vote both in Turkey and abroad, as many questioned the country’s democracy and whether Mr Erdogan’s party would ever concede defeat.

More from Recep Tayyip Erdogan

President Erdogan talks to reporters at a polling station

President Erdogan congratulated Mr Imamoglu

In a speech declaring his victory for the second time on Sunday, Mr Imamoglu thanked his supporters as they chanted: “Mayor again! Mayor again!”

“You have protected the reputation of democracy in Turkey with the whole world watching,” he told the crowds outside the headquarters of the Republican People’s Party.

A huge crowd turned out to celebrate Mr Imamoglu's victory

A huge crowd turned out to celebrate Mr Imamoglu’s victory
He was also congratulated by Mr Yildirim, who conceded defeat on national television, saying: “I congratulate him and wish him success.”

The results mean Turkey’s largest city will not be governed by Erdogan’s AKP party for the first time in a quarter of a century.

Turkish media has put Mr Imamoglu’s lead on Sunday at about 700,000 votes – far more than the roughly 13,000 vote margin in March.

Binali Yildirim is hugged by a supporter of Turkey's ruling party

Binali Yildirim wished his opponent ‘success’

The ruling party also lost control of Turkey’s capital city, Ankara, following the local elections in March.

However, the party still controls 25 of Istanbul’s 39 districts and holds a majority in the municipal assembly.

Mr Imamoglu told the president he was ready to work with him to solve the city’s problems, although Mr Erdogan has previously appeared unwilling to co-operate with him.

More News

Yadda rikici a kan gishirin N20 ya yi sanadiyyar mutuwar wani mutum a Kano

Wani magidanci mai suna Zakari Hamza mai shekaru 45, ya gamu da ajalinsa a hannun kanen matarsa, wani Magaji Salisu saboda gishirin N20. Dan marigayin,...

Sojoji Sun Kashe Mayaƙan IPOB 5

Dakarun rundunar sojan Najeriya da kuma ta rundunar sojan ruwan Najeriya a ranar Talata sun kashe mayaƙan ƙungiyar IPOB guda biyar a yayin musayar...

ĆŠan agajin Izala ya samu lambar yabo, kujerar hajji, kyautar mota bayan ya tsinci naira miliyan 100 ya mayar wa mai su

Salihu AbdulHadi Kankia, mamba ne na kungiyar agaji ta kungiyar Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), ya samu yabo da tukuicin mayar da...

Musulmi a Zaria sun yi taron addu’o’i saboda mummunan halin matsi da Najeriya ke ciki

Musulmi a garin Zaria na jihar Kaduna, sun gudanar da addu'a ta musamman domin neman taimakon Allah kan halin da 'yan Najeriya ke ciki...