AKP's stronghold falls: Local election results in the earthquake zone

Turkey has left the March 31 Local Elections behind.

The CHP, which held a party convention after the May elections where Özgür Özel was elected chairman, emerged victorious from the local elections.

Reaching a vote share of 37.74 percent, the CHP became the leading party in the local elections, while the election results caused a shock effect in the ruling AKP.

In the local elections, the results from the earthquake zone were awaited with curiosity, alongside those of Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.

A CLOSE RACE IN HATAY

In Hatay, one of the cities where the result was most anticipated in the earthquake zone, the CHP decided to continue with the incumbent mayor Lütfü Savaş. The People's Alliance, formed by the AKP and MHP, entered the election with Mehmet Öntürk.

A close race took place in the city, where approximately 1 million voters cast their ballots. According to unofficial results in Hatay, AKP candidate Mehmet Öntürk is leading the race. While Öntürk gave a victory speech following the results, Lütfü Savaş stated that according to their data, they were ahead by more than 8 thousand votes, saying, "We will not let this go."

A BIG SURPRISE IN ADIYAMAN

The AKP lost Adıyaman, where it received 52 percent of the vote in the 2023 elections, in these elections. Abdurrahman Tutdere, nominated by the CHP, was the name who crossed the finish line first.

NO SURPRISE IN KAHRAMANMARAŞ

There was no surprise in Kahramanmaraş, the epicenter of the earthquakes. Although the AKP experienced a loss of votes compared to the 2023 general elections, Fırat Görgel, whom it nominated in the city, received the vast majority of the votes.

DEM PARTY IN DIYARBAKIR

In Diyarbakır, approximately 750 thousand people went to the polls. The DEM Party's candidate, Serra Bucak Küçük, finished the race in first place.

ŞAHIN RE-ELECTED MAYOR IN GAZIANTEP

The AKP did not allow for any surprises in Gaziantep, one of the cities where it is strongest. Fatma Şahin, one of Turkey's first female metropolitan mayors, was once again the name who crossed the finish line first. Fatma Şahin, who has been serving as mayor since 2014, was re-elected.

ADANA SAID 'ZEYDAN KARALAR' AGAIN

The winner of the election in Adana was the CHP. Zeydan Karalar, who was nominated as the candidate, was elected Mayor once again.

One of the cities affected by the earthquake was Malatya. The AKP, which achieved a 45 percent vote share in the 2023 elections, emerged from the local elections having increased its votes. Sami Er, whom it nominated, received nearly 50 percent of the vote.

A MAJOR BLOW TO AKP FROM YRP IN ŞANLIURFA

One of the cities where the result was awaited with curiosity and a close race took place was Şanlıurfa. In the city, which has been called its "stronghold" for years, the AKP re-nominated Metropolitan Mayor Zeynel Abidin Beyazgül. Beyazgül had received 60 percent of the vote in the 2019 local elections.

The New Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah Partisi) introduced Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar, who resigned from the AKP, as its candidate. The voters' choice was in favor of Gülpınar. According to unofficial results, Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar was elected mayor. The Welfare Party had won its first election victory in Şanlıurfa in the 1984 local elections. Thus, it has won for the second time.

CHP SURPRISE IN KILIS

One of the most surprising provinces was Kilis. In the city, which is known especially as a stronghold of the People's Alliance, the CHP was the party that crossed the finish line first. The CHP's Hakan Bilecen received the majority of the 74 thousand voters' ballots.

News Source: 12punto