In a significant blow to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AK Party), the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has emerged victorious in Turkey's local elections. The CHP has claimed wins in the major cities of Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, marking a significant shift in power.

According to the Daily Sabah newspaper, the final count after Sunday's voting showed the CHP winning 37.8 percent of the ballots, closely followed by the AK Party with just under 35.5 percent. Istanbul's CHP mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, managed to hold onto the city by defeating the AK Party candidate, former Environment and Urbanisation Minister Murat Kurum, with just over 51 percent of the vote.

The defeat in Istanbul is particularly personal for Erdogan, who was born and raised in the city and served as its mayor in the 1990s. Imamoglu's victory in 2019 ended 25 years of AK Party rule in Istanbul, establishing himself as a strong challenger against Erdogan.

Imamoglu's political career shares similarities with Erdogan's. Both started their political journeys in Istanbul in the 1990s, facing legal obstacles along the way. Imamoglu, a member of the secularist CHP since 2008, became the mayor of Istanbul's Beylikduzu district a decade ago. On the other hand, Erdogan entered politics with the Islamist Welfare Party and cofounded the AK Party in 2001, eventually becoming prime minister in 2002.

However, Imamoglu's path to victory was not without challenges. In 2022, he was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison, and banned from politics on charges of insulting Turkey's Supreme Election Council. Imamoglu has appealed the case, but a decision is pending. These charges stemmed from his first mayoral win, where the AK Party complained of "irregularities", leading to a reelection. Despite the obstacles, Imamoglu won the rerun, calling the first cancellation "foolishness."

The CHP's success extended beyond Istanbul, as their candidates secured victories in 35 of Turkey's 81 provinces, including Antalya, Denizli, and Izmir. CHP Mayor Mansur Yavas also held onto the capital, Ankara, defeating his challenger Turgut Altinok with just over 60 percent of the vote.

The local elections served as a crucial battleground for the opposition's attempt to unseat Erdogan and his AK Party. Despite experiencing economic decline, with rising inflation and increasing costs of living, Erdogan managed to win another five-year presidential term in the 2023 elections. His AK Party-led coalition also secured a majority in parliament, dealing a blow to the CHP and the opposition.

Nevertheless, observers believe that Imamoglu's victories in the local elections will catapult him toward a potential presidential candidacy in 2028, following in Erdogan's footsteps. According to the current constitution, Erdogan is not eligible to run for a fourth term in 2028. However, political experts suggest that if Murat Kurum loses and Ekrem Imamoglu wins, Erdogan may feel compelled to run himself or seek alternative arrangements.

The opposition's triumph in Turkey's local elections signifies a significant shift in political dynamics and is expected to shape the country's political landscape in the coming years.