Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered a do-over of a March vote that saw an opposition politician elected as mayor of Istanbul. Critics warn that overturning the election result signals an accelerating slide into authoritarianism.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks in parliament in Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday.
Recent years have seen a series of draconian measures by Erdogan to consolidate his powers. He has carried out Protesters shine lights from cellphones during a demonstration in Istanbul after authorities annulled the mayoral election result. Calling the electoral board’s decision “an important step to strengthen our democracy” against cheating and corruption, the president railed against what he characterized as the usurping of votes rightfully cast for his party.
But the loss of Istanbul, where Erdogan launched his political career by serving as mayor, was seemingly insupportable. During the years of his party’s control of the municipality, Erdogan often cited the maxim that “he who wins Istanbul wins Turkey.” But over time, reports of lucrative patronage deals for those in the president’s inner circle fueled voter resentment.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Turkey orders revote for Istanbul mayorTurkey's election board has ruled in favor of a revote for Istanbul's next mayor, according to a state-run news agency
Read more »
Turkey detains 137 demonstrators in Istanbul on May DayTurkish police said they detained 137 people in Istanbul on Wednesday for trying...
Read more »
Turkey to re-run Istanbul election lost by Erdogan's AKPTurkish authorities on Monday scrapped the result of a vote for Istanbul mayor l...
Read more »
Turkey board to rule on Istanbul election re-run appeal: AKP candidateA ruling on an appeal by Turkey's AK Party (AKP) calling for a re-run of th...
Read more »
Turkey to rule on Istanbul election re-run appeal on Monday: AKP candidateTurkey's High Election Board will rule on Monday on an appeal by President ...
Read more »
Turkey cancels the opposition’s victory in the Istanbul electionPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems ready to win back the city by hook or by crook
Read more »
Erdogan says Turkey ready to support international investorsTurkey is ready to provide its full support to international investors, Presiden...
Read more »
Turkey expects NATO allies to support in combating terror groups – ErdoganTurkey is the only NATO country that has fought Daesh in close combat in Syria and inflicted a heavy defeat on the terror organisation – President Erdogan
Read more »
President Erdogan determined to lower interest rates to targeted levelsPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday he was determined to lower interest rates to targeted levels and described recent comments on falling central bank forex reserves as aimed at creating negative sentiment towards Turkey.
Read more »