The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, spoke about the victory in the elections in Istanbul, but also about the great success of the opposition parties in other big cities in Turkey, and said that this result is important for democracy itself.
In his address to the voters, Imamoglu said that the victory in these elections could mean a turning point for the political future of Turkey.
“Today is a pivotal moment not only for Istanbul but for democracy itself. As we celebrate our victory, we send a message that will reverberate around the world. The decline of democracy is now ending. Istanbul stands as a beacon of hope, a testament to the resilience of democratic values in the face of growing authoritarianism,” said the first man of Istanbul on Sunday night.
He said that this victory also sends a victory to Erdogan’s AK Party.
“Our triumph reflects the spirit of our Republic founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, inspiring those under repressive regimes with a vision of freedom and equality. Citizens of Istanbul, we are not just citizens of this historic city. We are guardians of democracy and lead the way for nations around the world,” Imamoglu concluded.
In local elections in Istanbul, Imamoglu won 51.14 percent of the vote, while his opponent from Erdogan’s AK Party, Murat Kurum, won the support of 39.59 percent of voters in the city, which is the economic center of the country.
Erdogan’s party also suffered a defeat in Ankara, where Mansu Yavas won with 60.38 percent of the vote, while AK Party candidate Turgut Altinok won 31.69 percent of the vote, Klix.ba reports.
E.Dz.
