reappointed as mayor of Istanbul, Erdogan’s main opponent gains presidential stature

Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, was triumphantly reappointed on Sunday March 31 during the municipal elections in Turkey. President Erdogan had vowed to take back “his” city, to erase the humiliation of five years ago, when Istabnbul fell into the hands of the opposition. Failed bet: the president’s candidate even recorded a real debacle. His opponents in Istanbul are jubilant. They have a hero, Ekrem Imamoglu, who brings a wave of enthusiasm.

Addressing the crowd gathered in front of the headquarters of the metropolis, Ekrem Imamoglu savors his victory. He lists the conquered districts on Sunday evening. Beyoglu, Bayram Pasha, Beykoz, Uskudar… Uskudar, where President Erdogan has his residence, where he voted on Sunday morning. The ultimate humiliation.

Opponent number 1

Imamoglu has the majority that he lacked until now to govern the metropolis of Istanbul. And he issues a warning: “Istanbul, this evening gave a historic message at the highest level of state. Istanbul said: ‘I am on the side of democracy, I am on the side of justice.'”

The mayor of Istanbul gives hope to the opposition, which was stunned by last year’s defeats. Horns rang out all over the city, like after a victory in a football match. The broad smile on his tired face also says that he knows that he has gained presidential stature. Ekrem Imamoglu is more than ever, President Erdogan’s number one adversary on the national scene.