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Turkish local elections: Opposition stuns Erdogan with historic victory

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The primary opposition party in Turkey has claimed significant victories in key cities such as Istanbul and Ankara in recent elections, dealing a substantial blow to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s aspirations. Erdogan, who had hoped to secure control of these cities less than a year after winning his third presidential term, faced defeat as the opposition secured victories.

Ekrem Imamoglu, representing the secular opposition CHP, secured his second victory in Istanbul, defeating the candidate backed by Erdogan’s AK Party by a considerable margin. Similarly, in Ankara, opposition mayor Mansur Yavas declared victory early on, with a significant lead over his opponent.

These results mark the first nationwide defeat for Erdogan’s party in over two decades. Despite Erdogan acknowledging the outcome, labeling it a turning point, it’s a significant setback for his party’s dominance, especially considering the sweeping powers amassed by the presidency under his leadership.

The opposition’s success is considered the biggest electoral defeat of Erdogan’s career, prompting speculation about the future of Turkish politics. Supporters of the opposition celebrated the outcome as a historic moment, signaling a desire for change in the country’s political landscape.

Imamoglu and Yavas, both seen as potential presidential candidates in the future, emerged as key figures in the opposition’s triumph. The victories in major cities like Istanbul, which holds substantial economic and cultural influence, underscore the opposition’s strength and its ability to challenge Erdogan’s rule.

Despite Erdogan’s party retaining control in certain regions, particularly in central Turkey, the election results reflect a significant shift in the country’s political dynamics. With a high voter turnout and the inclusion of a sizable number of young voters, the elections have reshaped Turkey’s political landscape and set the stage for potential changes in the upcoming presidential election in 2028.

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Finnish presidential candidate surprised at renewed focus on his sexuality

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Finnish presidential candidate Pekka Haavisto has expressed surprise and dismay at the sudden focus on his sexuality in the final days of campaigning before Sunday’s election, particularly by journalists from the national broadcaster, Yle. Haavisto, who could become Finland’s first Green and first gay president, noted that while his sexual identity was discussed in his 2012 campaign, it hadn’t been a central topic this time until the second round of voting.

He questioned why his sexuality had become an issue now and suggested that some journalists’ active pursuit of the topic raised questions. This comes after a poll found that a third of voters wouldn’t support him because he is gay. Despite this, Haavisto has been gaining ground on his rival, Alexander Stubb, according to the latest Yle poll, though he still trails 46-54%.

The campaign has also seen debate over nuclear weapons, with Haavisto opposing their storage in Finland, while Stubb advocates for a change in the law. Both candidates have diverse support bases, with Stubb favored among pensioners and Haavisto drawing support from younger voters, making turnout crucial for him.

As the campaign enters its final days, Haavisto continues to engage with voters, particularly focusing on female and young voters. If elected, he aims to prioritize addressing the climate crisis on the global stage, seeking to form an informal coalition to pressure international bodies for urgent action.

Haavisto is surprised by the sudden focus on his sexuality in the campaign’s final days, believes it to be an artificial topic, and remains committed to his platform of climate action and engagement with voters ahead of the election.

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Women and Youth Propel Power Shift in Poland’s Elections

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At 01:33 on Monday, Szymon Szumniak cast his vote at Wroclaw Polling Station No 148, having endured a six-hour queue in the freezing cold, long after the polls were due to close. The lengthy wait, a symbol of the immense engagement in Poland’s parliamentary election, saw a record turnout of over 74%, resulting in the removal of the right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS) from power.

Szymon, an entertainment blogger, recounted the remarkable solidarity shown in the queue, with locals offering blankets, hot beverages, and even entertainment. Similarly heartening instances of community support unfolded, such as a local pizza company distributing free food and redirecting surplus funds to charity, prompting Szymon to stay determined and contribute to the democratic process.

The election witnessed a notable surge in the participation of young voters, with 68.8% of those under 29 turning out, surpassing the turnout of the over-60s, which is an unusual trend. The youth’s support for change was evident in areas like Wroclaw, where the opposition Civic Coalition secured a significant victory over PiS.

Both major parties directed aggressive campaigns during the election, with the government propagating fears of chaos under Civic Coalition, and its leader, Donald Tusk, being labeled a European pawn. In contrast, Tusk emphasized the threat PiS posed to democracy, a message that resonated strongly with younger voters.

The high voter turnout, along with strategic voting efforts, emphasized the significance of this election in safeguarding democratic values and the country’s relationship with the EU. Women’s voices, particularly in response to restrictive abortion laws, were also pivotal, with campaigns urging them to exercise their rights at the ballot box.

With the potential government change, issues such as abortion laws are poised for reform, with promises of terminations on demand up to 12 weeks by the Civic Coalition and Left parties. The mandate from society for such changes underscores the need for the new administration to deliver on their promises.

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Paris Bids Farewell to Electric Scooter Rentals

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Paris has implemented a ban on rental electric scooters due to increasing injuries and fatalities in the city. Despite the ban being supported by nearly 90% of the voters in April, voter turnout was less than 8%. This move makes Paris one of the first capitals to prohibit rented electric scooters, only five years after initially embracing them.

As someone who is a traditional cyclist, I’m frustrated by the intrusion of electric “personal vehicles” like e-scooters into our space. I’ve spent four decades advocating for cycle paths, only to see them crowded out by this new form of motorized transportation. Additionally, as a parent, I’ve witnessed numerous instances of scooters speeding down sidewalks, posing hazards that require quick avoidance. A close friend of mine even suffered a broken rib in an e-scooter accident in Paris last year, which still causes him pain.

I hold no affection for these free-floating e-scooters. If it were up to me, they would have never been invented, and Parisians would still be cycling like it was the 1970s in Amsterdam, relying on their legs rather than pushing buttons.

However, that doesn’t mean I can’t recognize a political maneuver when I see one. The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, is a member of the Socialist party, but her presidential campaign in the previous election garnered just 1.75% of the national vote. In an effort to regain political relevance, she seized upon e-scooters as her cause, conveniently forgetting that she had introduced on-street scooter rentals in 2018. She became the spokesperson for those who find scooters deeply annoying.

At the beginning of the year, she announced a referendum to let the people decide on the scooter issue, stating that she would follow the people’s choice, even if it conflicted with her personal stance. The vote took place in April with minimal publicity, and only a small fraction of Parisians participated. Predictably, older citizens, who vote regularly and dislike e-scooters, turned out in large numbers, while younger users of e-scooters were less inclined to participate. The result was a clear majority in favor of banning the machines, giving the mayor her victory.

Now, rental scooters have disappeared from the streets, much to the dismay of tourists, nightlife enthusiasts, and some commuters. However, dealers in privately-owned e-scooters remain unaffected. Unlike the transition from horses to automobiles a century ago, where horses were replaced by a more advanced technology, the e-scooters’ absence may not be permanent. These scooters have only been around for five years, and there’s a possibility they may return at some point.

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