in Istanbul, the campaign for the municipal elections takes on a national dimension

The municipal campaign is in full swing in Turkey, one month before the elections. In Istanbul, President Erdogan is fully involved in the campaign to bring down the mayor and opposition candidate.

On the roof of his bus, Ekrem Imamoglu addresses the crowd. The mayor of Istanbul is campaigning for the next municipal elections, which take place in a month, on March 31, in Turkey. This local election has a national stake because the big cities are the opposition’s last lever of power. The mother of battles is taking place in Istanbul, with President Erdogan vowing to bring down the mayor.

In the popular district of Gaziosmanpasa, which voted conservative in the last election, Ekrem Imamoglu comes to boast of his record. In front of a ready crowd, he recalls his achievements: nurseries, gymnasium, swimming pool and promises others. Many veiled women came to listen to him, like Fidès, who waves a small flag. “He gave food vouchers to mothers, he helps retirees. He fulfilled all our requests. Imamoglu has our complete confidenceshe explains. We hope he will be able to continue like this. He is present everywhere. He is close to the poor and orphans. Look at my daughter, she doesn’t have a husband but she has children, Imamoglu gives milk and everything that is needed. God willing, he will win again.”

Fidès also talks about its difficulties, with a meager pension which makes seniors the most disadvantaged segment of the population.

The next presidential election in sight

Meanwhile, the government candidate’s car crisscrosses the streets of Beyoglu, a rather wealthy neighborhood in the center. Murat Kurum is the face of the AKP for Istanbul, but no one is fooled: the one leading the campaign is President Erdogan, who is making field visits. Recently in Istanbul, during the inauguration of a new train line, he once again raised the threat of dwindling funding if the city remained in the hands of the opposition. “Who governs this country today? It’s us. And those who rule Istanbul, do they have the same means as us? No”he said.

The president has sworn to retake the city, it is a question of honor because he never accepted the crushing defeat of 2019, but it is also because “Whoever wins Istanbul gets a huge political advantage to gain power at the national levelunderlines political scientist Berk Esen. Erdogan knows that if he loses the elections, if his candidate loses the elections a second time, then Imamoglu will become a national figure.” And a serious candidate for the next presidential election.

The vote promises to be close. The disunited opposition is fielding several candidates this year. Fides does not doubt the victory of her hero but she will still take precautions: “During the last elections, I sacrificed a sheep for Imamoglu to win. This year I’m going to do the same.”