Electoral Council report says 26 Turkish provinces have changed hands

At least twenty-six Turkish provinces changed hands in the March 31 local elections in Turkey, according to an early unofficial report of the Supreme Electoral Council (YSK).

Turks have experienced a first, as the parties have raced in alliances during the local elections for the first time. The opposition Nation Alliance, formed by Republican People’s Party (CHP), Good Party (IYI) and Felicity Party (SP), run against the People’s Alliance, of the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

Though the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has claimed a decisive victory after the initial results, the main opposition CHP took the lead in most of the big cities, Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Mersin, Adana, and Antalya, representing an important blow to Erdogan.

CHP candidate Ekrem Imamoglu has taken the lead against AKP’s Binali Yildirim in the most populated Istanbul, the economic hub, where Erdogan attaches great importance as his rise to power as a mayor began there in 1994.

AKP also tested the defeat against CHP in the capital Ankara, the second largest city, after its twenty-five-year ruling.

CHP has also taken control of some central Anatolian cities, marking a significant victory for itself.

IYI, CHP’s ally, is regarded as the losing part of the opposition alliance, as it could not win even a city. It seems to have taken control of some 18 districts, according to initial reports.

MHP, the ruling AKP’s ally, seems to be the winning part of the People’s Alliance, as it has taken control of more cities than before. MHP has taken mayorships in one metropolitan and 10 provinces.

The pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) regained some cities in the predominantly Kurdish southeast, except for three. HDP lost control of Sirnak, Agri, and Bitlis, where previous HDP mayors had been replaced by state-appointed trustees due to their alleged links to terrorist organizations.

Provinces changing hands are as follows:

Adana: CHP (previously MHP)
Amasya: MHP (previously AKP)
Ankara: CHP (previously AKP)
Antalya: CHP (previously AKP)
Ardahan: CHP (previously AKP)
Agri: AKP (previously HDP)
Artvin: CHP (previously AKP
Bilecik: CHP (previously AKP)
Bitlis: AKP (previously HDP)
Bolu: CHP (previously AKP)
Burdur: CHP (previously AKP)
Cankiri: MHP (previously AKP)
Erzincan: MHP (previously AKP)
Giresun: CHP (previously AKP)
Isparta: AKP (previously MHP)
Istanbul: CHP (previously AKP)
Karaman: MHP (previously AKP)
Kars: HDP (previously MHP)
Kastamonu: MHP (previously AKP)

Kirsehir: CHP (previously AKP)
Kırklareli: Independent (previously CHP)
Mersin: CHP (previously MHP)
Sinop: CHP (previously AKP)
Sirnak: AKP (previously HDP)
Tunceli: TKP (previously HDP)
Zonguldak: AKP (previously CHP)

Main opposition CHP wins Ankara after 25 years

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from IPA NEWS https://ipa.news/2019/04/01/electoral-council-report-says-26-turkish-provinces-have-changed-hands/