Istanbul represents 20% of the reservoir and electoral mood in Turkey, and the participation rate in it plays an important role in determining the results of the elections (Al Jazeera)

Istanbul

- Politicians and observers in Turkey agree that the upcoming local elections at the end of next March are no less important than the recent presidential and parliamentary elections, which were described as the most difficult democratic battle in the country’s modern history.

Especially on the Justice and Development Party, which has been in power for more than two decades.

The importance of local elections stems from the fact that their results have become an indicator, and in many cases a determinant, of the general elections.

Experts cite the recent local elections in 2019, in which the ruling party lost for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century the city of Istanbul and the political capital, Ankara.

A fierce electoral battle followed in the first general elections of 2023.

In this context, experts believe that the upcoming local elections can be described as a battle to regain Istanbul in particular, and Ankara as well for the ruling party, especially its leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who began his political path from that tumultuous state.

On the other hand, the opposition’s preservation of the two cities is a very important goal for it, as it includes compensation for some of the recent loss. What will the competitors compete for?

What will that competition look like?

Murat Kurum, former Turkish Minister of Environment and AKP candidate for the mayor of Istanbul (French)

Personality and lack of consensus

In this context, journalist and political analyst Gungor Yavuz Aslan believes that the elections in Istanbul and the form of their conduct carry the spirit and form of elections throughout the country, and express them greatly. Aslan agrees with experts on the importance of local elections and their high sensitivity.

Especially from the perspective of restoring Istanbul.

Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, Aslan says: "In light of this importance, the ruling party worked to choose the name of its candidate for Istanbul carefully, and according to in-depth studies. The candidate's personality and biography are important and very important."

The Turkish analyst continued: “All eyes are on Istanbul and its future, and the ruling party and its ally, the Nationalist Movement Party, presenting Murat Kurum - a current parliamentarian - as a candidate for the greater Istanbul municipal elections is an important step.”

Journalist Gungor attributes the importance of choosing Corum;

Because he is a former minister, has a successful experience, has a strong public presence and acceptance, and most importantly, he is a lively and young personality who is accepted by the diverse electoral segment in Istanbul.

Previously, the opposition Republican People's Party confirmed its intention to enter the Istanbul elections by renewing its candidacy for the current mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, while its ally, the Geyid Party, the second opposition party (the six-party table), announced that it would enter the upcoming local elections separately and without alliances.

In this regard, the famous Turkish journalist and writer Abdul Qadir Salafi says, “The opposition or the current candidate has lost the most important points, which is the opposition’s consensus and support for one candidate, as happened in 2019.”

National factors

Salafi continued to Al Jazeera Net: "Despite the opposition's efforts, it was unable to gather its forces behind one candidate, and although it is late, there are still efforts being made in this regard."

After the candidate's personality and practical record, Salafi asserts that national and national issues will be strongly present in the local elections, especially in light of the escalating acts of "terrorism" on the country's borders.

On the other hand, analyst and journalist Gungor Yavuz Aslan believes that “the names of the candidates for the sub-municipalities in Istanbul, as well as in the capital, Ankara, will play an important role in the results and form of the major municipal elections.”

Aslan stated that the results and outcomes of the recent general elections will be an important indicator, and a point that has been studied and will be studied in the context of the quest for victory by all parties.

He continued: "Turkey is one of the countries that witnesses a very high rate of participation in the elections, so understanding the public and its needs and meeting its aspirations, and taking into account its diversity and divisions, especially in a city like Istanbul, which expresses 20% of the reservoir and the electoral mood in the country, and the participation rate, will play an important role in determining The results of these elections.

Aslan believes that the unified opposition, and its candidate, who lost part of his popularity and presence through his previous experience as mayor of Istanbul (2019-2024), are less prepared and less likely to win, especially against a candidate who was chosen carefully and according to important criteria and considerations.

Special features

In turn, the writer Salafi believes that local elections, although they share importance with general elections, are elections that have their own form and files.

In his opinion, “Projects, services, and solving problems are among the most important aspects of competition, and at the top of the voter’s concerns, and this language is mastered by the ruling party in light of its candidate with experience and successes; the former Minister of Environment and Urbanism, as well as the economy and living conditions will be part of the competition files.”

According to a number of Turkish experts and researchers, in addition to life services and congestion, the file of the great Istanbul earthquake and preparations for it, and civilizational transformation projects, will be among the first files of competition between the candidates, as for years there has been talk about an expected large earthquake that may strike the historic state at any time, and it may Conversation and fear about it increased significantly after the devastating earthquake that struck the south of the country early last year.

Experts confirm that the earthquake has become a nightmare that haunts the thoughts of the residents of Istanbul, and that the personality of the ruling party candidate and his previous qualitative experience in cultural transformation and urbanization projects make him more fortunate in this field and in the field of solving the problem of congestion in the city.

Especially if this is compared to the achievements of the current president;

Which is described as modest and below the level of a global city like Istanbul.

It is noteworthy that the Greater Istanbul Municipality has remained under the control of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and parties that he led or was part of its leadership for approximately 25 years, and the Turkish President gives it an important place in his political and social life.

Source: Al Jazeera