municipal elections

“New Welfare Party – Fatih Erbakan: Will the fate of the elections be decided by the son of Erdogan’s teacher? asks the independent Turkish news website Medium, about a party that is “stealing” critical units from the AKP and may contribute to the loss of the ruling party’s stronghold municipalities by fielding candidates from its former associates Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“In today’s election, the New Prosperity Party will reach 20%. It will have huge popular support and the greatest momentum compared to the other parties” he argues speaking to “Step» the deputy chairman of the party and responsible for external relations, Dogan Beckinconsidering it “certain” that he will elect “at least 100 mayors”.

Already the fact that the party has acquired in a short period of time “about 500,000 members, increasing them by 85%, is an indicator of the dynamics it has developed, even though it is only five years since its establishment. And it’s just the beginning,” he adds.

He attributes the leaks of the ruling AKP to the New Prosperity Party, which until last year’s presidential elections was an ally of the AKP, “to the weakness and incapacity of its executives to solve the economic problems. Because the AKP did not adhere to the protocol of the electoral alliance, which it signed before the elections on May 14, 2023, there was economic turmoil in the country. People are fed up with taxes and are turning to us. As Erbakan said, 85% are poor and 45% live below the poverty line. One million households received social assistance in 2022, while 4.5 million households need it today. All 16 million pensioners cannot live. Citizens are desperate and outraged. They will punish the government at the polls.”

Fatih Erbakan, the son of Erdoğan’s “mentor”, is not only attracting votes because of reaction but also because “he has the answers to the big problems, as he is the son of Necmetin Erbakan who was the vice president and prime minister. He has vast knowledge of the political situation in the country. Within five years he acquired a central position in political life. Day by day we become stronger. And in 2028, Fatih Erbakan will be the president of Turkey” argues our interlocutor who believes that the Turkish president is in a panic.

“During the election campaign, the AKP targeted our party every day. He fought fiercely not to field a candidate in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir so that he would not lose these municipalities. He did not make it. In Urfa, where we are very strong, he was forced to hold two pre-election rallies. Our president said it: AKP members want to fight us. If they want a fight, there will be a fight. But we, unlike the government, treat the millions of Turkish citizens equally. That’s why they will honor us with their vote.”

^_«Municipal elections are indeed important for the central political scene in Turkey. Because they are not just local elections, they have wider implications that could affect the national political landscape” he emphasizes speaking to “Step» the professor of Political Sciences at Bilgi University of Istanbul, Emre Erdogan. He adds that “especially the intense competition in Istanbul acts as a microcosm of the dynamics of the national political scene.”

“Highly competitive” predicts today’s showdown in the metropolitan municipality “given the history of the city and the current political climate”. The result “could also go the other way, reflecting the deep divisions within Turkish society. However, the electorate’s response to the candidates’ agendas, particularly on pressing issues such as earthquake preparedness and economic stability, will prove critical. Whether it leads to the consolidation of the ruling party’s power or a resurgence of the opposition, today’s outcome in Istanbul will undoubtedly have profound implications for the country’s future,” he adds.

If he is re-elected Ekrem Imamoglou, will give “a boost to the opposition. Any re-election of the CHP mayor will be important for boosting the morale of the main opposition, confirming its resilience and ability to maintain control of Turkey’s most important city,” he clarifies. Imamoglu’s victory “could also make him a dominant figure within the opposition and potentially its main candidate in the next national election.”

There is also the parameter of symbolism, adds the Turkish professor. “Beyond the practical implications, Imamoglu’s success would symbolize the opposition’s ability to challenge his rule Recep Tayyip Erdoganmobilizing the support of various sections of society and proposing a viable alternative to the current political status quo.”

If elected Murat Kurum, the first consequence will be the “consolidation of the power of the AKP. As Kurum represents the ruling party, he would significantly strengthen his position as well as President Erdogan’s influence in Turkey’s political landscape, demonstrating the party’s enduring appeal and governing abilities.”

The second consequence of Kurum’s eventual victory in Istanbul will be “the significant setback of the opposition and the questioning of its strategy and leadership. A fact that may lead to introspection and reassessment of the CHP’s approach to dealing with Erdogan’s ruling party.” The additional “economic and political implications” of the AKP regaining control of Istanbul are that the ruling party would gain “access to vast financial resources and influence in critical policy areas, further entrenching its political agenda.”