Erdogan humiliated as Turkey’s opposition secures major victory in rerun of Istanbul vote

CNN reports that unofficial results showed the Republican People’s Party candidate Ekrem Imamoglu in the lead with around 54 percent of the vote. The possible results were reported by local state news agency Anadolu after 99 percent of votes were counted. Mr Imamoglu said: “The whole Turkey won the election, not a group or party.

“You stood up for the democracy tradition of more than one hundred years.

“Thank you, Istanbul.”

Local reports say official results were expected early on Monday morning.

Istanbul was awash with vibrant supports of Mr Imamoglo, who took to the streets to celebrate.

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The vote was originally run back in March.

However, Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) demanded a rerun after it narrowly lost.

They claimed fraud may have been behind the reason for their loss.

Controversially, Turkey’s election board cancelled the vote and ordered another vote take place.

Binali Yildirim, the AKP candidate, was said to have received around 45 percent of the vote.

He said: “My rival seems to be leading the election. I congratulate him. This elections showed democracy is functioning in Turkey.

“I wish Ekrem İmamoglu will make good services to people. For his good services we will help him.”

Erdogan also congratulated the winning candidate, however said that the AKP would continue to work for its goals “without giving up democracy, rule of law, peace, wealth and stability”.

source: express.co.uk