Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu writes for The Economist: 'The government has lost the support of key voter groups'

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu evaluated the March 31 local elections for The Economist, one of Britain's leading magazines.

According to the report in T24, İmamoğlu described the March 31 local elections with the following words: "This victory showed that real democratic power is in the hands of the people. It was a vote of confidence in a new form of municipal governance that we call the 'Istanbul Model'."

"TURKEY IS NO LONGER WITHOUT OPTIONS"

The full text of Ekrem İmamoğlu's article published in The Economist is as follows:

"The results of the local elections held on March 31 are a turning point in Turkish history. With voters entrusting a large portion of local government to the political opposition, Turkey is no longer without options; its trajectory has been firmly set back toward democracy.

They redrew the electoral map by electing social democratic candidates not only in Istanbul and its districts, but across all of Turkey."

"WE WON DESPITE THEM FIELDING THEIR OWN CANDIDATES"

Despite unfair competitive conditions, such as the allocation of state resources to the ruling party and its candidates and the media being under government control, the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), of which I am also a member, emerged victorious from the election. In Istanbul, government officials and the President actively campaigned to support my opponent in the mayoral elections. We won despite the fact that other opposition parties that had formed an alliance with the CHP in last year's elections left our coalition and fielded their own candidates.

"IT WAS A PROTEST AGAINST THE ECONOMIC CRISIS"

This victory showed that real democratic power is in the hands of the people. It was a vote of confidence in a new form of municipal governance that we call the 'Istanbul Model'. This model prioritizes equality, the democratic process, civic participation, and more effective economic and social development policies at the local level.

The message they gave is very clear. From now on, they want to see a country governed by the rule of law and democracy. They reject divisive policies and authoritarianism. They dream of a united Turkey, not one torn apart by polarization. Moreover, this election result was a protest against the deepening economic crisis: rising inflation, increasing unemployment, and the high cost of living.

"THE PUBLIC HAS A STRONG DESIRE FOR CHANGE"

The current government, which has held power for 22 years, has lost the support of key voter groups such as young people, women, blue-collar workers, and retirees. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his party experienced major setbacks in large cities, and their support was mostly concentrated in rural areas. In contrast, the CHP signaled a shift in political dynamics across Turkey by gaining unprecedented support in Central and Eastern Anatolia.

The election results injected new energy into the democratic opposition. Just a year ago, voters had narrowly supported Mr. Erdoğan in the presidential elections. Since then, the CHP has made leadership changes and initiated a process to radically renew its program. The people of Turkey have recognized and welcomed this change in direction. The public has a strong desire for change.

"IT SHOWED THAT CITIZENS CAN FORM MUCH STRONGER ALLIANCES THAN POLITICAL ELITES"

This election also showed that citizens can form much stronger alliances than political elites. Even if parties and political leaders lose their hope in democracy, citizens do not. As Turkey's democrats, we are determined to expand this grassroots alliance. The future of Turkish democracy and the country's prosperity depend on it.

The past two decades have witnessed a crisis of democracy, with authoritarian governments coming to power all over the world. This turmoil, driven by populism and polarization, has fueled global uncertainties and led people to question whether the end of the democratic era is near.

However, for Turkey, March 31 means the exact opposite: the end of the erosion of democracy. This is a turning point that carries profound meaning not only for Turkey, but also for its immediate region and beyond. Turkey has shown how authoritarian tendencies can be challenged and has become an example to the world. While voters in many countries remain firmly attached to their partisan affiliations, Turkey has shown that it does not have to be this way. When consistent and credible alternatives are presented for governance, voters are willing to change their preferences and reject populist authoritarianism.

EARTHQUAKE AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Now, the task for elected mayors, including myself, is to ensure the consistent implementation of a common set of rules for accountable local governance. This approach will require reliable internal monitoring and evaluation of public services in jurisdictions held by the CHP.

At the same time, we will seek to cooperate with the government to address the chronic problems of our cities and the country as a whole, especially earthquake and disaster preparedness and management. By developing a comprehensive set of reform proposals, we will take measures to strengthen our economy, our democracy, and our legal system.

"WHATEVER THE EFFORTS OF ERDOĞAN'S POPULIST REGIME..."

The CHP has emerged as the strongest alternative to Mr. Erdoğan's Justice and Development (AK) Party for national leadership. Over the next five years, social democratic mayors will govern municipalities that make up more than 70 percent of Turkey's population and nearly 80 percent of its economy. As we move toward the next presidential and parliamentary elections, changes at the local level will pave the way for broader changes at the national level.

Whatever the future efforts of Mr. Erdoğan's populist regime; Istanbul and Turkey will remain a symbol of freedom, democracy, and social harmony. A new political morality that puts the people first will prevail over authoritarian populism. After a generation marked by democratic decay and economic decline, the Republic of Turkey is entering its second century by renewing its faith in democracy."

News Source: 12punto