Erdogan's Electoral Setback and Its Aftermath

Bulent Aliriza, CSIS
On March 31, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suffered a major rebuke at the hands of Turkish voters when his Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidates failed to win in Istanbul and Ankara in nationwide municipal elections Erdogan described as existential during an intense, personal campaign. Although the AKP is currently challenging the results and there is no immediate threat to Erdogan who will continue to exercise control over national politics until 2023, it is clear that he and his colleagues have to find a way to tackle the growing economic difficulties which contributed to...