Türkiye, difficult election competition in Istanbul and Ankara

Due to the special position of mayors in Turkey and their extensive powers in urban management, budget allocation, employment and other areas, the election of the mayor is in many cases even more important and sensitive than the election of parliamentarians. That too, in the situation that in recent years, several strategic and important fortresses such as Istanbul, Ankara and Adana, contrary to the usual routine, have been in the hands of Erdogan’s opponents.

Now, with only 3 days left to the election, it is difficult to make a firm prediction about the winner in both the sensitive and important metropolises of Ankara and Istanbul, and Erdogan is following the results of the polls with growing concern. Because, from Erdoğan’s point of view, accepting the defeat in Istanbul and Ankara means that the way for an opposition politician to come to power in the 2028 presidential election will be paved, and the Justice and Development Party, which has been in power since 2002, will He left the stage with a spoon and a bowl.

Morad Kurum, who previously served as Minister of Housing and Urban Development in Erdogan’s cabinet, announced his 6-month plan for the administration of Istanbul and made many promises for construction and He also claimed in several emotional and epic speeches that the oppressed of Gaza are looking forward to the results of Istanbul and if he wins, the hearts of all Gazans will be full of hope. because he is willing to send several ships of food to Gaza.

Opponents also say: sending food and financial aid to Gaza should not be abused as a political and party issue.

BBC gives hope to the ruling party

Publication of a political analysis in the Turkish section of the BBC, the media under the command of the Justice and Development Party and Erdogan’s advisers This English media announced that the chance of winning for Akram Imamoglu, the candidate supported by the opposition, is in danger, but Murad Kurum, a young engineer trusted by Erdogan, is in a better situation.

BBC emphasized that the management of Istanbul metropolis is the key to the future of Turkey, and considered this metropolis as the driving engine and “economic and social dynamo of Turkey”.

BBC It is believed that the most important dangers that threaten Imamoglu are: 1. Discord and disunity in the broad front of Erdogan’s opponents. 2. Kurds’ lack of support for Imamoglu.

Considering that at least 4 million Kurds live in Istanbul, their support for Imamoglu can turn the tide. However, the Democracy and Equality Party or Dem Party, as a PKK satellite organization, has fielded an independent candidate and has not supported Imamoglu. According to a field survey, Akram Imamoglu is in the lead. Prof. Ozer Senjar, the owner of the aforementioned institute, stated that according to the latest survey conducted with the target community of 2,100 people and in 39 districts of Istanbul, between On March 24-26, 2024, Akram Imamoglu, the candidate of the People’s Republic Party, maintained his superiority with 39.5%, and Murad Kurum, the candidate of the Justice and Development Party, is still in second place with 30.0% of the votes.

What is going on in Ankara?

It is not just Istanbul that is of vital importance to Erdogan and his party. Ankara, the capital, is also a vital fortress, and Erdogan is very angry and upset that the key to this fortress has fallen into the hands of Mansour Yuash. Because all polls show that Mansour Yowash is a popular and popular politician and has high charisma and credibility in terms of leadership capabilities. Therefore, victory in the capital is also important for Erdogan. /p>

Altinuk, the candidate supported by Erdogan in Ankara, is not a well-known politician and everyone knows him by the multi-page list of his assets.

The release of his financial information showed that more than fifty plots of land and dozens of buildings, The mansion and the villa were inherited from his father and he entered the field of political competition only by relying on his great wealth. But Mansour Yovash has a good relationship with the people of the capital and a survey conducted by AREA Research It has shown that he is in the lead.

In the face-to-face survey conducted between March 23 and 26, 2024, 3 thousand and 9 citizens living in all districts of Ankara were asked about their vote for the election of the mayor of the metropolis. .

According to the results of this survey, 60.1 percent of Ankara voters said that they will vote for Mansur Yovas, the candidate of the People’s Republic Party (CHP) and the current mayor of Ankara Municipality. But his closest competitor, AK Party candidate Altinuk, came second with 30.5 percent of the votes.

Does Erdogan have a plan?

One of Erdogan’s important tactics and tactics to achieve victory in the election contests is to use the strategy of “security” and also to fan the fire of social and ethnic bipolarity and fuel the differences between conservatives and secularists.