The political landscape in Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan faces scrutiny regarding the stability of democratic transitions. Recent events in Istanbul's Üsküdar district serve as a case study, where an opposition victory in the 2024 local elections was eventually overturned. Despite the initial win, the elected mayor was imprisoned, and the municipality returned to the control of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) without a new vote. This situation highlights broader concerns about the upcoming presidential elections. While the opposition may succeed at the ballot box, questions remain about whether a transfer of power would be permitted if the incumbent loses. As Erdoğan approaches constitutional term limits, the ability of any future winner to effectively take office and govern remains a central point of debate in Turkish politics.
Source : Turkish Minute
