Erdogan Suffers Major Election Defeat as Opposition Wins Big in Turkish Municipal Votes
• Turkish President Erdogan's party AKP suffers heavy defeat in local elections, losing mayoral races in Istanbul, Ankara, and 15 other cities • Opposition party CHP wins control of Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Izmir, Antalya and other large cities • High inflation and slowing economy seen as reasons for voter dissatisfaction with Erdogan’s party • Istanbul mayor Imamoglu wins second term and emerges as key Erdogan challenger and likely presidential candidate • Erdogan acknowledges election loss as a "turning point", while opposition parties gain momentum ahead of national elections