Polls have commenced in Turkey for local elections, marking a significant trial for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he endeavours to regain authority over vital urban regions lost to the opposition half a decade ago. The voting process commenced on Sunday at 7 am local time in eastern Turkey, while polling stations in other areas opened at 8 am and will close at 5 pm. Preliminary results are anticipated to be announced by 10 pm (19:00 GMT)
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Polls have commenced in Turkey for local elections, marking a significant trial for President
00:06 Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he endeavours to regain authority over vital urban regions lost to
00:12 the opposition half a decade ago.
00:14 The voting process commenced on Sunday at 7 am local time in eastern Turkey, while polling
00:19 stations in other areas opened at 8 am and will close at 5 pm.
00:25 Preliminary results are anticipated to be announced by 10 pm.
00:29 The vote is a barometer of Erdogan's popularity and will decide who gets to control the economic
00:34 hub of Istanbul and the capital Ankara, both of which he lost in 2019.
00:39 The 70-year-old Turkish leader has set his sights on wrestling back Istanbul, a city
00:44 of 16 million people where he was born and raised and where he began his political career
00:49 as a mayor in 1994.
00:52 Analysts suggest that a robust performance by Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development
00:56 Party would reinforce his determination to introduce a new constitution, aligning with
01:03 his conservative principles and potentially extending his rule beyond 2028 when his current
01:09 term concludes.
01:10 Conversely, for the fragmented and disheartened opposition, retaining control of Istanbul
01:14 and Ankara would provide a significant morale boost and reinvigorate their base of supporters,
01:20 particularly after their setbacks in the previous year's presidential and parliamentary elections.
01:26 Some 61 million people, including more than a million first-time voters, are eligible
01:30 to cast ballots for all metropolitan municipalities, town and district mayorships, as well as neighborhood
01:36 administrations.
01:37 Turnout is traditionally high in Turkey, but this time the vote comes against the backdrop
01:41 of a cost-of-living crisis.
01:43 Observers say this illusioned opposition supporters could opt to stay home, doubting its ability
01:48 to change things.
01:50 Governing party supporters, meanwhile, could also choose not to go to the polls in protest
01:54 of the economic downturn that has left many struggling to pay for food, utilities and
01:59 rent.
02:00 "Some 594,000 security personnel will be on duty across the country to ensure the vote
02:04 goes smoothly," Interior Minister Ali Yelikaya said.
02:09 Erdogan faces a challenge from the Islamist New Welfare Party, which has garnered increased
02:13 support due to its uncompromising stance against Israel amidst the Gaza conflict and discontent
02:19 with the AK Party's economic management.
02:22 In Ankara, incumbent Mayor Mansoor Yavaz, viewed as a potential future contender to
02:27 Erdogan, is anticipated to maintain his position based on opinion polls.
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