Turkish vote: Battle to run Istanbul becomes key to country's future

Turkish Vote: The Battle to Run Istanbul Becomes Key to Country's Future Millions of Turks are set to cast their vote on Sunday in what is being considered a pivotal election. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hopes to regain control of Turkey's biggest city, Istanbul. The race to lead Istanbul has taken on significant importance. The result will not only determine who governs the city but could potentially shape the political landscape of the entire country. The upcoming election represents a crucial test for Erdogan and his ruling party, Justice and Development Party (AKP). Istanbul has been a stronghold for the AKP since 1994, with Erdogan himself previously serving as the city's mayor. However, in the last mayoral election in 2019, the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate, Ekrem Imamoglu, pulled off a surprise victory, ending the AKP's 25-year reign in the city. Imamoglu's win was seen as a significant blow to Erdogan's political dominance. It propelled him onto the national stage and made him a figurehead for the opposition. Since then, Istanbul's new mayor has become wildly popular, gaining support for his inclusive and transparent approach to governance. The upcoming election is seen as a chance for Erdogan and the AKP to reclaim Istanbul. They have put forward their candidate, Binali Yildirim, a close ally of the president and the former Turkish prime minister. Yildirim has promised to implement Erdogan