A Strong Performance From the Opposition in Turkey's Municipal Elections Bodes Ill for Erdogan

The Turkish government's weak performance in municipal elections will make it harder for Ankara to pursue constitutional reforms and will increase the probability of a return to less orthodox economic policies in the long term and foreign policy populism. In Turkey's March 31 municipal elections, the main opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, maintained control over key cities including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana and Antalya. The CHP received more than 37% of nationwide votes, compared with the 35% earned by the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, marking the CHP's best performance since 1989 and the first time that the CHP has surpassed the AKP. Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul's incumbent CHP mayor and potential presidential contender, won the election with more than half of the votes and more than a 10-point margin according to preliminary results. Additionally, incumbent CHP Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas won reelection with more than 60% of...