Turkey's resurgent opposition thumps Erdogan in pivotal local elections
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00:00 It's seen as a major setback for Turkey's president.
00:03 The ruling AK Party of Recep Tayyip Erdogan failed to regain control of major cities and
00:09 suffered losses elsewhere in local elections on Sunday.
00:13 The stunning defeat comes less than a year after he secured the presidency for a third
00:17 term.
00:18 Erdogan's now promising to introspect after calling the results a turning point.
00:26 We will open-heartedly analyse the results within our party and make our self-criticism
00:30 boldly.
00:31 However, we will not disrespect our nation's decision in any way.
00:37 We will avoid being stubborn, acting against a national will and questioning the judgement
00:42 of our nation.
00:46 Turkey's president had invested heavily in his party's efforts to retake Istanbul, which
00:50 he once led.
00:52 However, despite his best efforts, the city's incumbent mayor was re-elected.
00:56 Ikram Imamoglu of the opposition CHP now increasingly seen as a challenger to Erdogan.
01:05 Turkey will be a different Turkey.
01:07 You have given the opportunity to take the first step towards a Turkey where democracy,
01:13 freedom, equality, rationality, science, love and solidarity thrive.
01:21 Turkey's local elections were viewed as a referendum on Turkey's president and the ruling
01:25 party.
01:26 But confidence in Erdogan's government has been waning over its handling of the economy
01:31 and its failure to tackle rampant inflation.
01:34 The outcome will undoubtedly re-energise Turkey's opposition as it seeks to draw Recep Tayyip
01:40 Erdogan's grip on power to a close.
01:42 (laughing)