Opposition party candidate Ekrem Imamoglu won the revote for Istanbul mayor against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
What We Know:
- With more than 99 percent of the votes counted, Imamoglu won with 54 percent of the votes. He won the first mayoral vote in March, however, the ruling party alleged that votes were stolen and ballot box observers did not have official approval, which resulted in the state election board ordering a revote, according to BBC.
- According to the Turkish election board, the official results were expected to be announced on Monday. Crowds flooded the streets to celebrate Imamoglu’s victory after the unofficial results were announced.
- In his victory speech, Mr. Imamoglu, of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), said the result marked a “new beginning” for both the city and the country and that his supporters “fixed democracy”.
- Imamoglu’s win gave Turkey’s main opposition party control of Istanbul after 25 years of dominance by the Justice and Development Party (AKP).
- Erdogan congratulated his opponent via Twitter “The national will has manifested itself once again today. I congratulate Ekrem Imamoglu, who has won the election according to unofficial results.”
Imamoglu stated that he is willing to work with Mr. Erdogan, saying “Mr. President, I am ready to work in harmony with you.”
