Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dominated Turkish politics for the past 16 years, with his AK Party winning every election since 2003.
That all changed on Sunday, when the party suffered major setback in local elections, losing control in Istanbul and Ankara, the country’s two largest cities.
Voters are particularly fed up with what critics say is Erdogan’s increasingly autocratic rule, as well as the falling value of the Turkish lira, soaring inflation and rising unemployment.
While the AK Party is challenging the results in Istanbul and Ankara, saying it is seeking a recount to fix alleged irregularities and a reassessment of invalid votes, the elections have jolted Erdogan and his party.
Presenter: Peter Dobbie
Guests:
Mehmet Celik – Managing editor, Daily Sabah newspaper
Ege Seckin – Turkey specialist, IHS Markit Country Risk Consultants
Ozgur Unluhisarcikli – Ankara office director, The German Marshall Fund of the United States
Source: Al Jazeera News
