Opposition in surprise shake up in Antalya

Güncelleme Tarihi: Mart 30, 2009 21:02

by Betül Çal

Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 30, 2009 21:02

ANTALYA - Surprise unfolded in Antalya as the opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, candidate scored victory over the ruling Justice and Development, or AKP, incumbent mayoral candidate. The Turkish prime minister defined the outcome as "abnormal." (UPDATED)

Haberin Devamı

At CHP headquarters in Antalya's city center, the mood was somber early Sunday evening as the first scattering of ballots began to arrive with Justice and Development Party, or AKP, candidate Menderes Turel in the lead. But as the evening wore on, the joyous mood rose along with the prospects of Republican People’s Party, or CHP, candidate Mustafa Akaydin.

With 99 percent of the votes counted in Antalya, Akaydin, the head of the Interuniversity Council of Turkey, leads with 40.8 percent ahead of Turel who gained 35 percent of the votes.

The cheer spread to the adjacent boulevard running in front of the CHP headquarters as crowd’s unfurled party banners and cheered their candidate. Akaydin however maintained his composure, declining to declare victory or judge the race at the still-early stage of the evening.

Ahead of the elections, surveys showed that AKP's Turel and CHP's Akaydin were running neck and neck.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said he considered the election result in Antalya as "abnormal," adding he visited the concerned province 28 times in the last five years. "Still I do have respect for the outcome," he added.

Akaydin is a figure known for his secular stance and opposition against the headscarves at universities.

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Opposition in surprise shake up in Antalya

ANTALYA - Surprise unfolded in Antalya as the opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, candidate scored victory over the ruling Justice and Development, or AKP, incumbent mayoral candidate. The Turkish prime minister defined the outcome as "abnormal." (UPDATED)

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