The AKP thinks it can take İstanbul. Pollsters disagree.

AKP İstanbul mayoral candidate Murat Kurum at a Mar. 7 campaign event. © Ingrid Woudwijk

İSTANBUL – Turkey’s March 31 local elections are fast approaching, and the most consequential race remains too close to call.

Many uncertainties remain as the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) mayoral candidate Murat Kurum prepares to hold a rally with Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan this weekend. The event aims to bolster Kurum’s chances against incumbent Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).

One of Kurum’s main campaign slogans is “Sadece İstanbul”– or “Only İstanbul” – a direct criticism of the incumbent, who is widely seen to be aiming for higher offices. AKP officials argue such ambitions have left İstanbul unattended.