Ekrem Imamoglu, incumbent mayor and the candidate from Turkey's main opposition party CHP, was leading in mayoral elections in the country's largest city Istanbul, NTV and other broadcasters said on Sunday based on partial official vote counts.
NTV said Imamoglu had 49.09% with 3.67% of ballot boxes opened. Murat Kurum, the candidate from President Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party, which rules nationally, had 42.83%.
Responding to the election results, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on X: "Defeat for Erdogan's candidates in the local elections in Turkey. Congratulations to the winners," calling the results "a clear message to Erdogan - the incitement against Israel is no longer working, look for another horse."
תבוסה למועמדי ארדואן בבחירות המקומיות בטורקיה. ברכות למנצחים @ekrem_imamoglu באיסטנבול, ו-@mansuryavas06 באנקרה, ומסר ברור לארדואן @RTErdogan - ההסתה נגד ישראל כבר לא עובדת, חפש סוס אחר.
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) March 31, 2024