Reuters analyzes local elections in Turkey: A test for Erdoğan and İmamoğlu

12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS

Reuters' analysis on the local elections emphasizes that these elections are of a nature to shape the future of politics in Turkey. According to Reuters, the AKP's ability to bring a constitutional amendment to the agenda after the local elections 'to extend its term in power' depends on the outcome of these elections. On the other hand, it was pointed out that the elections are a 'durability test' for both Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

In the analysis, where it is stated that the budgets of metropolitan municipalities are of significant importance for political parties, the following statements were used:

"Controlling major cities and their budgets can boost parties' popularity on the national stage by giving them a say in funding, contracts, and job creation."

Furthermore, Reuters stated the importance of the elections for politics in Turkey as follows:

"Analysts say that for Erdoğan, winning back Istanbul and Ankara would support his pursuit of a new constitution that could extend his rule beyond 2028, the end of his current term."

The analysis also shared the following view regarding the voting preferences of Kurdish voters:

"According to pollsters, most Kurds in Turkey are preparing to set aside party loyalty and support İmamoğlu on Sunday."

'A TIGHT RACE IS EXPECTED'

In Reuters' analysis, it is shared that according to polls, İmamoğlu is slightly ahead of Kurum. Reuters shared the following assessment regarding the elections:

"Analysts see the vote as a test of Erdoğan's nationwide support and the resilience of the opposition, particularly Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. A tight race is expected in the city (Istanbul), which is home to more than 16 million people and provides more than a quarter of the country's GDP."

While the analysis states that İmamoğlu has come to the fore as Erdoğan's rival, it also comments that a possible constitutional amendment agenda will be shaped according to the election results.

"İmamoğlu has emerged as the opposition's main alternative to Erdoğan. Analysts say that if he wins a second term as mayor, he will likely run in the next presidential election, but a defeat could derail his career and plunge the opposition into further turmoil.

Analysts say that for Erdoğan, winning back Istanbul and Ankara would strengthen his pursuit of a new constitution that could carry his rule beyond 2028, which marks the end of his current term.

Under the current constitution, the presidency is limited to two terms. Erdoğan secured his third term as president last year thanks to a legal loophole stemming from the transition to the presidential system in 2018, as his first term had passed under the previous system."

The analysis quotes Wolfango Piccoli, co-president of the consulting and public relations firm Teneo, as saying: "The election test is also important for Erdoğan's pursuit of a new constitution (or constitutional amendment) that would bypass presidential term limits and eliminate the remaining elements of judicial independence."

In the Reuters analysis, the dollar exchange rate against the Turkish Lira was also shared without comment:

"Other competitive cities include Antalya, Bursa, and Adana, which are governed by the CHP.

(1$ = 32.1467 lira)"