"High-Stakes Battle for Istanbul: Turkey's Opposition Faces Test in Local Elections"
TL;DR
Turkey is gearing up for local elections on March 31, with a focus on the battle for control of major cities, particularly Istanbul. The opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) currently holds four of the five biggest cities, including Istanbul, and the upcoming election will be a crucial test for both the ruling AK Party and the opposition. Opinion polls suggest a close race between the incumbent CHP Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and AK Party candidate Murat Kurum. The election will also reflect the splintering of the opposition alliance and the AK Party's efforts to maintain momentum, with President Erdogan taking charge of the local campaign.
- Turkey’s opposition in electoral battle to keep hold of major cities Al Jazeera English
- Turkish vote: Battle to run Istanbul becomes key to country's future BBC.com
- Turkey Votes Sunday in High-Stakes Local Election The Wall Street Journal
- At Stake in the Istanbul Mayoral Race: Turkey's Political Future The New York Times
- The race is on for key cities as Turkey holds local elections in test of Erdogan's popularity The Associated Press
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Read on Al Jazeera English