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)

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