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{{Infobox election {{Infobox election
| election_name = Turkish local elections, 2019 | election_name = Turkish local elections, 2019
| country = Turkey | country = Turkey
| type = legislative | type = legislative
| previous_election = Turkish local elections, 2014
| previous_year = 2014
| previous_mps =
| election_date = On or before 31 March 2019
| elected_mps =
| next_election =
| next_year = ''Next''
| next_mps =
| ongoing = yes | ongoing = yes
| previous_election = Turkish local elections, 2014
| seats_for_election= All 30 metropolitan and 1,351 district municipal mayors of Turkey<br>All 1,251 provincial and 20,500 municipal councillors of Turkey<br>''According to 2014 local governmental composition''
| previous_year = 2014
| majority_seats =
| election_date = On or before 31 March 2019
| opinion_polls =
| turnout = | next_election =
| next_year = ''Next''
| 1blank = Mayors
| seats_for_election = All 30 metropolitan and 1,351 district municipal mayors of Turkey<br>All 1,251 provincial and 20,500 municipal councillors of Turkey<br>''According to 2014 local governmental composition''
| 2blank = Councillors
| majority_seats =
| 3blank = Popular&nbsp;vote^
| opinion_polls =
| 4blank = Percentage
| turnout =
| 5blank = Swing
| image1 = ]
| colour1 = FDC400
| leader1 = ]
| party1 = Justice and Development Party (Turkey)
| alliance1 = ] | alliance1 = ]
| leader_since1 = ]
| alliance2 = ]<Ref>https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-46603960</ref>
| leaders_seat1 =
| alliance5 = ]<Ref>https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-46603960</ref>
| last_election1 = 818 mayors, 11,309 councillors, 42.87%
<!-- CHP -->| 1blank = Mayors
| map_image = Turkey provinces blank gray.svg
| map_size = 380px
| map_caption = All 81 ]
<!-- bottom -->| title =
| before_election =
| before_party =
| after_election =
| after_party =
| previous_mps =
| elected_mps =
| colour3 = 870000
| image3 = ]
| leader3 = ]
| party3 = Nationalist Movement Party
| alliance3 = ] | alliance3 = ]
<!-- AKP -->| leader_since3 = ]
<!-- AKP -->
| leaders_seat3 =
| image1 = ]
| last_election3 = 169 mayors, 3,675 councillors, 17.82%
| leader1 = ]
| seats3 =
| colour1 = FDC400
| seat_change3 = <!-- MHP -->
| party1 = Justice and Development Party (Turkey)
| colour2 = d70000
| leader_since1 = ]
| image2 = ]
| leaders_seat1 =
| leader2 = ]
| last_election1 = 818 mayors, 11,309 councillors, 42.87%
| party2 = Republican People's Party (Turkey)
<!-- CHP -->
| alliance2 = ]<Ref>https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-46603960</ref>
| image2 = ]
| leader_since2 = ]
| leader2 = ]
| leaders_seat2 =
| colour2 = d70000
| last_election2 = 232 mayors, 4,320 councillors, 26.34%
| party2 = Republican People's Party (Turkey)
| leader_since2 = ]
| leaders_seat2 =
| last_election2 = 232 mayors, 4,320 councillors, 26.34%


<!-- MHP --> <!-- MHP -->| 2blank = Councillors
| 3blank = Popular vote^
| image3 = ]
| 4blank = Percentage
| leader3 = ]
| 5blank = Swing
| colour3 = 870000
| colour4 = b000b8
| party3 = Nationalist Movement Party
| colour5 = 44b4e4
| leader_since3 = ]
| image4 = ]
| leaders_seat3 =
| image5 = ]
| last_election3 = 169 mayors, 3,675 councillors, 17.82%
| leader4 = ]<br>]
| seats3 =
| leader5 = ]
| seat_change3 =
| party4 = Peoples' Democratic Party (Turkey)
<!-- MHP -->
| party5 = İyi Party
| image5 = ]
| leader5 = ]
| colour5 = 44b4e4
| party5 = İYİ Party
| leader_since5 = 25 October 2017
| leaders_seat5 =
| last_election5 = <i>New party</i>
| seats5 =
| seat_change5 =
<!-- HDP -->
| image4 = ]
| leader4 = ]<br>]
| colour4 = b000b8
| party4 = Peoples' Democratic Party (Turkey)
| alliance4 = ''None''{{efn|group=n|Supported by the left-wing political parties and groups of the ]}} | alliance4 = ''None''{{efn|group=n|Supported by the left-wing political parties and groups of the ]}}
| alliance5 = ]<Ref>https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-46603960</ref>
| leader_since4 = ]
| leader_since4 = ]
| leaders_seat4 =
| leader_since5 = 25 October 2017
| last_election4 = 99 mayors, 1,570 councillors, 6.29%
| leaders_seat4 =
<!-- map -->
| leaders_seat5 =
| map_image = Turkey provinces blank gray.svg
| last_election4 = 99 mayors, 1,570 councillors, 6.29%
| map_size = 380px
<!-- map -->| last_election5 = <i>New party</i>
| map_caption = All 81 ]
| seats5 =
<!-- bottom -->
| seat_change5 = <!-- HDP -->
| title =
| before_election = | next_mps =
| before_party =
| after_election =
| after_party =
}} }}
The '''Turkish local elections of 2019''' will be held on or before Sunday, 31 March 2019 throughout the 81 ]. A total of 30 metropolitan and 1,351 district municipal mayors, alongside 1,251 provincial and 20,500 municipal councillors will be elected, in addition to numerous local non-partisan positions such as neighbourhood presidents (]s) and elderly people's councils. The '''Turkish local elections of 2019''' will be held on or before Sunday, 31 March 2019 throughout the 81 ] of ]. A total of 30 metropolitan and 1,351 district municipal mayors, alongside 1,251 provincial and 20,500 municipal councillors will be elected, in addition to numerous local non-partisan positions such as neighbourhood presidents (]s) and elderly people's councils.


==Background== ==Background==
Turkey holds local elections every five years in the final Sunday of March. The ], held on 30 March 2014, resulted in a victory for the governing ] (AKP), which won control of both ] and ], Turkey's top two cities. The main opposition ] (CHP) came second, winning control of ], Turkey's third city. The elections were the first test of support following widespread anti-government protests in Summer 2013 and a corruption scandal in December 2013. The elections resulted in numerous allegations of electoral fraud, as well as re-runs in districts such as ] and ] where recounts and fraud allegations failed to return a decisive winner. Turkey holds local elections every five years in the final Sunday of March. The ], held on 30 March 2014, resulted in a victory for the governing ] (AKP), which won control of both ] and ], Turkey's top two cities. The main opposition ] (CHP) came second, winning control of ], Turkey's third city. The elections were the first test of support following widespread anti-government protests in Summer 2013 and a corruption scandal in December 2013. The elections resulted in numerous allegations of electoral fraud, as well as re-runs in districts such as ] and ] where recounts and fraud allegations failed to return a decisive winner.


The 2019 elections will follow two ] that were held on 24 June 2018, namely a ] and a ], where the incumbent President ] was re-elected with 52.59% of the vote. With his re-election, he assumed widely expanded executive powers that were approved by voters in a highly controversial ]. His AK Party lost its majority in the ] but retains its majority with support from the ] (MHP), together with which the AKP forms an electoral alliance named the ]. The 2019 local elections will be the last scheduled elections to be held in Turkey until 23 June 2023. The 2019 elections will follow two ] that were held on 24 June 2018, namely a ] and a ], where the incumbent President ] was re-elected with 52.59% of the vote. With his re-election, he assumed widely expanded executive powers that were approved by voters in a highly controversial ]. His AK Party lost its majority in the ] but retains its majority with support from the ] (MHP), together with which the AKP forms an electoral alliance named the ]. The 2019 local elections will be the last scheduled elections to be held in Turkey until 23 June 2023.
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Following the election of the ] on 24 June 2018, the AKP government publicly announced its intention to bring the local elections forward from March 2019 to November 2018.<ref>http://www.haber7.com/guncel/haber/2687846-erken-secim-tarihi-one-cekilecek-mi-bu-yil-yerel-secim-ne-zaman-2018</ref> Although the opposition claimed they were ready for a local election, they did not publicly back the government's call.<Ref>https://www.haberturk.com/son-dakika-erken-yerel-secim-olabilir-mi-iste-son-aciklamalar-2042479</ref> It was speculated that the government's desire for an early election was related to the ] that took place shortly after the June 2018 elections, with fears that it would lead to a reduction in the AKP's vote share.<ref>http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/koseyazisi/1091527/Yerel_secimler_ve_ekonomik_kriz.html</ref> Following the election of the ] on 24 June 2018, the AKP government publicly announced its intention to bring the local elections forward from March 2019 to November 2018.<ref>http://www.haber7.com/guncel/haber/2687846-erken-secim-tarihi-one-cekilecek-mi-bu-yil-yerel-secim-ne-zaman-2018</ref> Although the opposition claimed they were ready for a local election, they did not publicly back the government's call.<Ref>https://www.haberturk.com/son-dakika-erken-yerel-secim-olabilir-mi-iste-son-aciklamalar-2042479</ref> It was speculated that the government's desire for an early election was related to the ] that took place shortly after the June 2018 elections, with fears that it would lead to a reduction in the AKP's vote share.<ref>http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/koseyazisi/1091527/Yerel_secimler_ve_ekonomik_kriz.html</ref>


The dates of local elections are enshrined in the ], meaning that any motion to hold them on a different date would require a constitutional amendment.<Ref>https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr/politika/2018/07/02/kahraman-erken-yerel-secim-anayasaya-uygun-degil/</ref> This would require a ] in the Grand National Assembly or a three-fifths majority along with approval in a referendum. The ] between the AKP and MHP only held 57% of the seats, making the proposal unrealistic. The government subsequently dropped plans to bring the poll forward. The dates of local elections are enshrined in the ], meaning that any motion to hold them on a different date would require a constitutional amendment.<Ref>https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr/politika/2018/07/02/kahraman-erken-yerel-secim-anayasaya-uygun-degil/</ref> This would require a ] in the Grand National Assembly or a three-fifths majority along with approval in a referendum. The ] between the AKP and MHP only held 57% of the seats, making the proposal unrealistic. The government subsequently dropped plans to bring the poll forward.
==Positions elected== ==Positions elected==
The 2019 local elections will be the second to be held following the ], which merged several municipalities and substantially reduced the number of councillors and mayors elected. Mayors and councillors are elected separately. District municipalities consist of two types; actual district municipalities (of which there are 921) and 397 ] that serve even smaller settlements in rural provinces.<ref>https://bisorubicevap.com/genel-kultur/turkiye-de-kac-tane-ilce-kac-tane-belediye-kac-tane-koy-vardir</ref> The elected positions are shown below. The 2019 local elections will be the second to be held following the ], which merged several municipalities and substantially reduced the number of councillors and mayors elected. Mayors and councillors are elected separately. District municipalities consist of two types; actual district municipalities (of which there are 921) and 397 ] that serve even smaller settlements in rural provinces.<ref>https://bisorubicevap.com/genel-kultur/turkiye-de-kac-tane-ilce-kac-tane-belediye-kac-tane-koy-vardir</ref> The elected positions are shown below.
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==Municipal changes since 2014== ==Municipal changes since 2014==
===Removal of mayors for malpractice=== ===Removal of mayors for malpractice===
] where mayors have been removed from office between 2014 and 2019.<ref>https://www.ensonhaber.com/kayyum-atanan-belediyeler-listesi.html</ref><br> ] where mayors have been removed from office between 2014 and 2019<ref>https://www.ensonhaber.com/kayyum-atanan-belediyeler-listesi.html</ref><br>
{{color box|#009900|border=darkgray}} ] (92) - ] terrorism charges<br> {{color box|#009900|border=darkgray}} ] (92) – ] terrorism charges<br>
{{color box|#fdc400|border=darkgray}} ] (4) - ] terrorism charges<br> {{color box|#fdc400|border=darkgray}} ] (4) – ] terrorism charges<br>
{{color box|#d40000|border=darkgray}} ] (2) - Corruption charges<br> {{color box|#d40000|border=darkgray}} ] (2) – Corruption charges<br>
{{color box|#870000|border=darkgray}} ] (1) - ] terrorism charges]] {{color box|#870000|border=darkgray}} ] (1) – FETÖ terrorism charges]]
Following the ] on 15 July 2016, several mayors, mostly from the Kurdish Nationalist ] (DBP), were removed from office by the ] and were temporarily replaced by government-appointed trustees. Most of these mayors were removed from office due to charges of joining, aiding or conducting propaganda activities for a terrorist organisation, namely the ] (PKK). Several DBP district party executives were also suspended from office on terrorism charges. In addition, four AKP mayors and one MHP mayor were removed after being arrested for aiding the ] (FETÖ), the perpetrators of the coup attempt. Following the ] on 15 July 2016, several mayors, mostly from the Kurdish Nationalist ] (DBP), were removed from office by the ] and were temporarily replaced by government-appointed trustees. Most of these mayors were removed from office due to charges of joining, aiding or conducting propaganda activities for a terrorist organisation, namely the ] (PKK). Several DBP district party executives were also suspended from office on terrorism charges. In addition, four AKP mayors and one MHP mayor were removed after being arrested for aiding the ] (FETÖ), the perpetrators of the coup attempt.


The removal of mayors and district party executives began with a state of emergency decree on 1 September 2016, with the district ] being given the role of acting mayor in some instances.<ref>https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr/gundem/2016/11/17/dbpnin-elinde-3-il-belediyesi-kaldi/</ref> As of 14 October 2018, four AKP mayors, one MHP mayor and 94 DBP mayors have been removed from office.<ref>https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-45855245</ref> The removal of mayors and district party executives began with a state of emergency decree on 1 September 2016, with the district ] being given the role of acting mayor in some instances.<ref>https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr/gundem/2016/11/17/dbpnin-elinde-3-il-belediyesi-kaldi/</ref> As of 14 October 2018, four AKP mayors, one MHP mayor and 94 DBP mayors have been removed from office.<ref>https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-45855245</ref>


In addition to removal on the grounds of national security, a number of mayors have been removed from office on corruption charges. In these cases, municipal councillors retained the right to appoint a successor, as opposed to the Interior Ministry appointing a trustee. On these grounds, the CHP mayors of ] and ], both districts of Istanbul, were removed from office on 8 December 2017 and 4 January 2018 respectively.<ref>http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/siyaset/882441/Atasehir_Belediye_Baskani_Battal_ilgezdi_gorevden_uzaklastirildi.html</ref><Ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-besiktas-belediye-baskani-gorevden-uzaklastirildi-40699944</ref>. The CHP slammed the decisions as politically motivated, but the CHP majorities in both councils were able to elect a CHP successor in their place.<Ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/chpde-besiktas-soku-40700152</ref> In addition to removal on the grounds of national security, a number of mayors have been removed from office on corruption charges. In these cases, municipal councillors retained the right to appoint a successor, as opposed to the Interior Ministry appointing a trustee. On these grounds, the CHP mayors of ] and ], both districts of Istanbul, were removed from office on 8 December 2017 and 4 January 2018, respectively.<ref>http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/siyaset/882441/Atasehir_Belediye_Baskani_Battal_ilgezdi_gorevden_uzaklastirildi.html</ref><Ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-besiktas-belediye-baskani-gorevden-uzaklastirildi-40699944</ref> The CHP slammed the decisions as politically motivated, but the CHP majorities in both councils were able to elect a CHP successor in their place.<Ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/chpde-besiktas-soku-40700152</ref>


==='Fatigue' resignations of AKP mayors=== ==='Fatigue' resignations of AKP mayors===
On 30 May 2017, shortly after a controversial declaration of victory in the ] and ], President Erdoğan made a statement claiming that his party was suffering from ']' and called on poorly-performing party provincial executives to leave their posts. Seven AKP provincial chairmen resigned their posts by the end of 2017 in response to Erdoğan's call. The intention of the AKP party executive to 'regenerate' the party resulted in pressure on some of the party's more controversial, long-serving or poorly-performing mayors to resign.<ref>https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2017/gundem/akpdeki-istifalarin-perde-arkasi-son-dakika-haberleri-1983797/</ref> On 30 May 2017, shortly after a controversial declaration of victory in the ] and ], President Erdoğan made a statement claiming that his party was suffering from 'metal ]' and called on poorly-performing party provincial executives to leave their posts. Seven AKP provincial chairmen resigned their posts by the end of 2017 in response to Erdoğan's call. The intention of the AKP party executive to 'regenerate' the party resulted in pressure on some of the party's more controversial, long-serving or poorly-performing mayors to resign.<ref>https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2017/gundem/akpdeki-istifalarin-perde-arkasi-son-dakika-haberleri-1983797/</ref>


On 23 September 2017, İstanbul Mayor ], in office since 2004, resigned.<ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/kadir-topbas-istifa-etti-40587764</ref>. This was followed by ] Mayor Mehmet Keleş on 2 October.<ref>https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2017/gundem/son-dakika-duzce-belediye-baskani-istifa-etti-2033300/</ref> On 18 October, the Mayor of ], Faruk Akdoğan, resigned.<ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-ak-partili-nigde-belediye-baskani-gorevinden-istifa-etti-40614455</ref> On 23 October, the Mayor of ], Recep Altepe, announced his resignation.<ref>https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/son-dakika-haberi-bursabuyuksehir-belediye-baskani-recep-altepe-istifa-etti,QV5Ol9vxDU-fGDQWzkBzoA</ref> On 27 October, ] Mayor ] resigned after weeks of unsuccessful negotiations with Erdoğan to retain his office.<ref>https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2018/gundem/ordu-buyuksehir-belediye-baskani-istifa-etti-2632922/</ref> On 30 October, ] Mayor Edip Uğur also resigned after initially refusing to heed to the party executive's pressure.<ref>https://m.bianet.org/bianet/siyaset/191088-balikesir-belediye-baskani-istifa-etti-tehdide-varan-mudahaleler-var</ref> Making an emotional resignation statement, Uğur stated that his resignation was forced and that his family had received threats in the event he continued to resist.<Ref>https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/balikesir-belediye-baskaniedip-ugur-gorevinden-istifa-etti,sK6mZDB8_EawbzJXmtNZNQ</ref> On 23 September 2017, Istanbul Mayor ], in office since 2004, resigned.<ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/kadir-topbas-istifa-etti-40587764</ref> This was followed by ] Mayor Mehmet Keleş on 2 October.<ref>https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2017/gundem/son-dakika-duzce-belediye-baskani-istifa-etti-2033300/</ref> On 18 October, the Mayor of ], Faruk Akdoğan, resigned.<ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-ak-partili-nigde-belediye-baskani-gorevinden-istifa-etti-40614455</ref> On 23 October, the Mayor of ], Recep Altepe, announced his resignation.<ref>https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/son-dakika-haberi-bursabuyuksehir-belediye-baskani-recep-altepe-istifa-etti,QV5Ol9vxDU-fGDQWzkBzoA</ref> On 27 October, ] Mayor ] resigned after weeks of unsuccessful negotiations with Erdoğan to retain his office.<ref>https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2018/gundem/ordu-buyuksehir-belediye-baskani-istifa-etti-2632922/</ref> On 30 October, ] Mayor Edip Uğur also resigned after initially refusing to heed to the party executive's pressure.<ref>https://m.bianet.org/bianet/siyaset/191088-balikesir-belediye-baskani-istifa-etti-tehdide-varan-mudahaleler-var</ref> Making an emotional resignation statement, Uğur stated that his resignation was forced and that his family had received threats in the event he continued to resist.<Ref>https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/balikesir-belediye-baskaniedip-ugur-gorevinden-istifa-etti,sK6mZDB8_EawbzJXmtNZNQ</ref>


On 18 September 2018, the AKP Mayor of ] Enver Yılmaz announced his resignation. His resignation was seen as non-related to the 'metal fatigue' regeneration drive but due to personal disagreements with high-ranking party official and deputy leader ], who is an MP for ].<ref>https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2018/gundem/ordu-buyuksehir-belediye-baskani-istifa-etti-2632922/</ref> On 18 September 2018, the AKP Mayor of ] Enver Yılmaz announced his resignation. His resignation was seen as non-related to the 'metal fatigue' regeneration drive but due to personal disagreements with high-ranking party official and deputy leader ], who is an MP for ].<ref>https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2018/gundem/ordu-buyuksehir-belediye-baskani-istifa-etti-2632922/</ref>


===Defections between parties=== ===Defections between parties===
A number of mayors switched parties between 2014 and 2019. A number of these defections were down to the formation of the ], which took away substantial support from the ]. A total of 10 municipal mayors switched to İYİ between the party's establishment on 25 October 2017 and 2019. The Mayor of ], Burhanettin Kocamaz, switched to İYİ from the MHP on 4 December 2018, becoming the party's first metropolitan mayor.<ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/mersin/mersin-buyuksehir-belediye-baskani-kocamaz-iyi-41040198</ref> A number of mayors switched parties between 2014 and 2019. A number of these defections were down to the formation of the ], which took away substantial support from the ]. A total of 10 municipal mayors switched to İYİ between the party's establishment on 25 October 2017 and 2019. The Mayor of ], Burhanettin Kocamaz, switched to İYİ from the MHP on 4 December 2018, becoming the party's first metropolitan mayor.<ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/mersin/mersin-buyuksehir-belediye-baskani-kocamaz-iyi-41040198</ref>


The Mayor of ] in ], Ayhan Ödübek, joined the CHP in 2018 having resigned from the MHP in 2016.<ref>https://www.haberler.com/inhisar-bagimsiz-belediye-baskani-chp-ye-gecti-11381933-haberi/</ref> On 9 May 2017, Mayor Mustafa Gül of ], in ], resigned from the MHP and joined the CHP. On 20 October 2018, Mayor Rasim Daşhan of ], in ], resigned from the CHP and joined the AKP.<Ref>http://t24.com.tr/haber/chpli-belediye-baskani-akpye-gecti-ozume-dondum,728375</ref> On 13 November 2018, Mayor Gökhan Demirtaş of Gülüç, a small town in the ] district of ], resigned from the CHP and joined the AKP.<Ref>https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/chpli-belediye-baskani-ak-partiye-gecti-3408400</ref> The Mayor of ] in ], Ayhan Ödübek, joined the CHP in 2018 having resigned from the MHP in 2016.<ref>https://www.haberler.com/inhisar-bagimsiz-belediye-baskani-chp-ye-gecti-11381933-haberi/</ref> On 9 May 2017, Mayor Mustafa Gül of ], in ], resigned from the MHP and joined the CHP. On 20 October 2018, Mayor Rasim Daşhan of ], in ], resigned from the CHP and joined the AKP.<Ref>http://t24.com.tr/haber/chpli-belediye-baskani-akpye-gecti-ozume-dondum,728375</ref> On 13 November 2018, Mayor Gökhan Demirtaş of Gülüç, a small town in the ] district of ], resigned from the CHP and joined the AKP.<Ref>https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/chpli-belediye-baskani-ak-partiye-gecti-3408400</ref>
==Parties and alliances== ==Parties and alliances==
Due to the ] system used to elect mayors, the elections were preceded by several inter-party negotiations and calculations of ] to improve the chances of defeating the candidates of certain parties.<Ref>https://www.amerikaninsesi.com/a/turkiyede-ittifak-ruzgarlari-esiyor/4668300.html</ref> Three broad alliances were formed in the run-up to the vote. Unlike in parliamentary elections where electoral alliances have legal foundations and affect the translation of votes into seats, the alliances formed for local elections do not have any legal foundations and merely consist of parties withdrawing their candidates in support for another. Due to the ] system used to elect mayors, the elections were preceded by several inter-party negotiations and calculations of ] to improve the chances of defeating the candidates of certain parties.<Ref>https://www.amerikaninsesi.com/a/turkiyede-ittifak-ruzgarlari-esiyor/4668300.html</ref> Three broad alliances were formed in the run-up to the vote. Unlike in parliamentary elections where electoral alliances have legal foundations and affect the translation of votes into seats, the alliances formed for local elections do not have any legal foundations and merely consist of parties withdrawing their candidates in support for another.
===People's Alliance (AKP and MHP)=== ===People's Alliance (AKP and MHP)===
{{main|People's Alliance (Turkey)}} {{main|People's Alliance (Turkey)}}
The People's Alliance was founded in February 2018 between the AKP and MHP as a union of parties supporting the re-election of President ] in the ]. During the election campaign, the two parties were joined by the ] (BBP) and stated that the alliance would last until the next general elections 2023. The People's Alliance was founded in February 2018 between the AKP and MHP as a union of parties supporting the re-election of President ] in the ]. During the election campaign, the two parties were joined by the ] (BBP) and stated that the alliance would last until the next general elections 2023.


Speculation continued after the 2018 general election as to whether the People's Alliance would remain for the local elections. Despite initial mixed signals, MHP leader ] announced in September 2018 that he intended to support AKP candidates in key races and continue the alliance into the local election.<ref>https://www.takvim.com.tr/guncel/2018/09/30/mhp-genel-baskani-devlet-bahceliden-flas-cumhur-ittifaki-aciklamasi</ref> After a series of disagreements with the AKP, particularly in relation to the reinsertion of the ], the MHP announced that it would be contesting the elections alone.<Ref>https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/will-erdogan-s-power-be-shaken-after-losing-his-biggest-ally-turkey-394900389</ref> The 'temporary suspension' of the alliance was subsequently confirmed by Erdoğan.<ref>http://t24.com.tr/haber/erdogandan-bahceliye-yerel-secim-yaniti-herkes-kendi-yoluna,730052</ref> However, a month later after a meeting between the two leaders, the Alliance was declared to have resumed, with the MHP subsequently pulling its candidates in favour of the AKP in numerous provinces, such as ] and ].<Ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-erdogan-bahceli-gorusmesi-sona-erdi-41026570</ref> Speculation continued after the 2018 general election as to whether the People's Alliance would remain for the local elections. Despite initial mixed signals, MHP leader ] announced in September 2018 that he intended to support AKP candidates in key races and continue the alliance into the local election.<ref>https://www.takvim.com.tr/guncel/2018/09/30/mhp-genel-baskani-devlet-bahceliden-flas-cumhur-ittifaki-aciklamasi</ref> After a series of disagreements with the AKP, particularly in relation to the reinsertion of the ], the MHP announced that it would be contesting the elections alone.<Ref>https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/will-erdogan-s-power-be-shaken-after-losing-his-biggest-ally-turkey-394900389</ref> The 'temporary suspension' of the alliance was subsequently confirmed by Erdoğan.<ref>http://t24.com.tr/haber/erdogandan-bahceliye-yerel-secim-yaniti-herkes-kendi-yoluna,730052</ref> However, a month later after a meeting between the two leaders, the Alliance was declared to have resumed, with the MHP subsequently pulling its candidates in favour of the AKP in numerous provinces, such as ] and ].<Ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-erdogan-bahceli-gorusmesi-sona-erdi-41026570</ref>
===Nation Alliance (CHP and İYİ)=== ===Nation Alliance (CHP and İyi)===
{{main|Nation Alliance (Turkey)}} {{main|Nation Alliance (Turkey)}}
The Nation Alliance was the main opposition alliance during the 2018 general election, being formed by the ], the ], the ] and the ]. The Alliance was declared to have formally dissolved shortly after the elections. However, negotiations of a local election alliance between the CHP and the İYİ Party continued in the latter months of 2018. The alliance was finalised on 12 December, with the İYİ Party agreeing to not field mayoral candidates in ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] or ]. Both parties would field a candidate in ] while the CHP would support the İYİ Party's candidate in ].<ref>https://www.cnnturk.com/video/turkiye/son-dakika-chp-ile-iyi-parti-anlasti</ref> The Nation Alliance was the main opposition alliance during the 2018 general election, being formed by the ], the ], the ] and the ]. The Alliance was declared to have formally dissolved shortly after the elections. However, negotiations of a local election alliance between the CHP and the İyi Party continued in the latter months of 2018. The alliance was finalised on 12 December, with the İyi Party agreeing to not field mayoral candidates in ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] or ]. Both parties would field a candidate in ] while the CHP would support the İyi Party's candidate in ].<ref>https://www.cnnturk.com/video/turkiye/son-dakika-chp-ile-iyi-parti-anlasti</ref>


On 18 December 2018, the CHP and İYİ Party's joint candidate in ] was announced to be ], who narrowly lost to the AKP's candidate ] in the 2014 local election amid allegations of fraud. Upon announcing his candidacy, Yavaş declared himself to be the 'Nation Alliance' candidate.<ref>https://www.amerikaninsesi.com/a/chp-ankara-ve-istanbul-adaylarına-karar-verdi/4706042.html</ref> On 18 December 2018, the CHP and İyi Party's joint candidate in ] was announced to be ], who narrowly lost to the AKP's candidate ] in the 2014 local election amid allegations of fraud. Upon announcing his candidacy, Yavaş declared himself to be the 'Nation Alliance' candidate.<ref>https://www.amerikaninsesi.com/a/chp-ankara-ve-istanbul-adaylarına-karar-verdi/4706042.html</ref>


===HDP-DBP Alliance=== ===HDP-DBP Alliance===
With the establishment of the ] (HDP) in 2012, the existing dominant ] party, the ] (BDP) restructured itself into a purely local election-based organisation and renamed itself to ] (DBP). In the 2014 local elections, the DBP contested areas with a significant ] population while the HDP ran in provinces where Kurdish populations were minimal. While the DBP won 100 mayors in 2014, the HDP failed to win any municipalities and won just 9 municipal councillors. With the establishment of the ] (HDP) in 2012, the existing dominant ] party, the ] (BDP) restructured itself into a purely local election-based organisation and renamed itself to ] (DBP). In the 2014 local elections, the DBP contested areas with a significant ] population while the HDP ran in provinces where Kurdish populations were minimal. While the DBP won 100 mayors in 2014, the HDP failed to win any municipalities and won just 9 municipal councillors.


In August 2018, it was announced that the existing relationship between the HDP and DBP, where the latter would contest Kurdish populated regions, would be abandoned and the HDP would contest the election throughout the whole country.<ref>https://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/yerelde-dbp-rafa-kalkti-yerel-secime-hdp-girecek-228720.html</ref> The DBP announced its support for the HDP, with both parties launching a joint campaign workshop in ] on 20 October.<ref>http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/siyaset/1112775/HDP_ve_DBP__secim_startini_Diyarbakir_dan_verecek.html</ref> The parties announced that other Kurdish parties were welcome to join their alliance, while stating that there was no intention to form an alliance with the main opposition CHP.<ref>https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-45927229</ref> On 6 January 2019, six Kurdish parties agreed to join HDP after negotiations. The parties are ], the Freedom Movement, the Revolutionary Eastern Culture Associations, theHuman and Freedom Party, the Kurdish Democratic Platform and the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=7 Kurdish parties join forces with HDP for Turkey provincial elections |url=http://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/turkey/060120191 |accessdate=7 January 2019 |agency=Rûdaw}}</ref> In August 2018, it was announced that the existing relationship between the HDP and DBP, where the latter would contest Kurdish populated regions, would be abandoned and the HDP would contest the election throughout the whole country.<ref>https://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/yerelde-dbp-rafa-kalkti-yerel-secime-hdp-girecek-228720.html</ref> The DBP announced its support for the HDP, with both parties launching a joint campaign workshop in ] on 20 October.<ref>http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/siyaset/1112775/HDP_ve_DBP__secim_startini_Diyarbakir_dan_verecek.html</ref> The parties announced that other Kurdish parties were welcome to join their alliance, while stating that there was no intention to form an alliance with the main opposition CHP.<ref>https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-45927229</ref> On 6 January 2019, six Kurdish parties agreed to join HDP after negotiations. The parties are ], the Freedom Movement, the Revolutionary Eastern Culture Associations, the Human and Freedom Party, the Kurdish Democratic Platform and the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=7 Kurdish parties join forces with HDP for Turkey provincial elections |url=http://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/turkey/060120191 |accessdate=7 January 2019 |agency=Rûdaw}}</ref>


==Controversies== ==Controversies==
Due to the small number of votes needed to swing the election results in some low-population districts, local elections in Turkey are known to experience more cases of alleged fraud than legislative or presidential elections. This was the case in the ] where severe cases were reported in ] (where the ] remains disputed to this day), ] (where the election had to be repeated) and other important provinces such as ], ] and ].<ref>https://www.timeturk.com/tr/2014/03/31/bu-illerde-oylar-yeniden-sayilacak.html</ref> The 2014 election marked the first time a ballot official was sentenced to prison for electoral fraud, having been caught transferring opposition votes to the ruling AKP candidate.<ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/yerel-secimde-hile-cezasi-5-yil-hapis-29209460</ref> Due to the small number of votes needed to swing the election results in some low-population districts, local elections in Turkey are known to experience more cases of alleged fraud than legislative or presidential elections. This was the case in the ] where severe cases were reported in ] (where the ] remains disputed to this day), ] (where the election had to be repeated) and other important provinces such as ], ] and ].<ref>https://www.timeturk.com/tr/2014/03/31/bu-illerde-oylar-yeniden-sayilacak.html</ref> The 2014 election marked the first time a ballot official was sentenced to prison for electoral fraud, having been caught transferring opposition votes to the ruling AKP candidate.<ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/yerel-secimde-hile-cezasi-5-yil-hapis-29209460</ref>
==='Fake voters' controversy=== ==='Fake voters' controversy===
The preliminary electoral roll was published in January 2018 to allow voters to check their polling districts and make any changes during a 'complaint period'. Following the publication of voter lists, many opposition politicians alleged that voters had been deliberately switched from one district to a neighbouring district as a means of tipping the result to favour a certain candidate. Similar allegations have been made in the run-up to elections in the past.<ref>https://t24.com.tr/haber/2-bucuk-milyon-sahte-secmen-var,584152</ref> The preliminary electoral roll was published in January 2018 to allow voters to check their polling districts and make any changes during a 'complaint period'. Following the publication of voter lists, many opposition politicians alleged that voters had been deliberately switched from one district to a neighbouring district as a means of tipping the result to favour a certain candidate. Similar allegations have been made in the run-up to elections in the past.<ref>https://t24.com.tr/haber/2-bucuk-milyon-sahte-secmen-var,584152</ref>


On 6 January, the Mayor of the CHP-held İstanbul district of ] publicised some research into the changes in his district's electoral roll between the ] and 2019, where the number of voters substantially increased by 7% in the space of six months.<ref>https://www.gercekgundem.com/siyaset/61593/chp-adalarda-yaklasik-500-hayali-secmen-tespit-etti</ref> The research found that up to 500 (56%) of the new voters had been transferred to Adalar from neighbouring districts such as ], which are heavily pro-AKP and thus have an excess of AKP voters. Their addresses were recorded at either uninhabitable buildings or the local AKP district offices.<ref>http://halktv.com.tr/31-mart-secimleri-oncesi-hayali-secmen-iddiasi-355101</ref> The move, which the mayor claimed to be an attempt by the government to engineer the result in Adalar to result in his defeat, was branded 'the biggest fake voter scandal in the history of the Republic'.<ref>https://www.gercekgundem.com/siyaset/61625/cumhuriyet-tarihinin-en-buyuk-sahte-secmen-olayiyla-karsi-karsiyayiz?fbclid=IwAR0baPfUATNYwsI4qs8oaVNqG8AV1li7juq9KE52y9VcZJSnQTbXQPV0jJQ</ref> On 6 January, the Mayor of the CHP-held Istanbul district of ] publicised some research into the changes in his district's electoral roll between the ] and 2019, where the number of voters substantially increased by 7% in the space of six months.<ref>https://www.gercekgundem.com/siyaset/61593/chp-adalarda-yaklasik-500-hayali-secmen-tespit-etti</ref> The research found that up to 500 (56%) of the new voters had been transferred to Adalar from neighbouring districts such as ], which are heavily pro-AKP and thus have an excess of AKP voters. Their addresses were recorded at either uninhabitable buildings or the local AKP district offices.<ref>http://halktv.com.tr/31-mart-secimleri-oncesi-hayali-secmen-iddiasi-355101</ref> The move, which the mayor claimed to be an attempt by the government to engineer the result in Adalar to result in his defeat, was branded 'the biggest fake voter scandal in the history of the Republic'.<ref>https://www.gercekgundem.com/siyaset/61625/cumhuriyet-tarihinin-en-buyuk-sahte-secmen-olayiyla-karsi-karsiyayiz</ref>


In an effort to identify fake voters in other parts of the country, the local CHP offices in ], ] announced the formation of a team of 200 people to raise awareness and locate electoral roll fraud.<ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/izmir/balcova/chp-balcova-orgutunden-sahte-secmen-calismasi-41065194</ref> In an effort to identify fake voters in other parts of the country, the local CHP offices in ], ] announced the formation of a team of 200 people to raise awareness and locate electoral roll fraud.<ref>http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/izmir/balcova/chp-balcova-orgutunden-sahte-secmen-calismasi-41065194</ref>

==Key races== ==Key races==
===Target municipalities=== ===Target municipalities===
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|} |}


Revision as of 05:35, 12 January 2019

Turkish local elections, 2019
← 2014 On or before 31 March 2019 Next →
All 30 metropolitan and 1,351 district municipal mayors of Turkey
All 1,251 provincial and 20,500 municipal councillors of Turkey
According to 2014 local governmental composition
  File:Kılıçdaroğlu (cropped).jpg
Leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu Devlet Bahçeli
Party AK Party CHP MHP
Alliance People's Alliance Nation Alliance People's Alliance
Leader since 21 May 2017 22 May 2010 6 July 1997
Last election 818 mayors, 11,309 councillors, 42.87% 232 mayors, 4,320 councillors, 26.34% 169 mayors, 3,675 councillors, 17.82%
  File:Meral Akşener İyi Party 1 (cropped).jpg
Leader Sezai Temelli
Pervin Buldan 		Meral Akşener
Party HDP İYİ
Alliance ] Nation Alliance
Leader since 11 February 2018 25 October 2017
Last election 99 mayors, 1,570 councillors, 6.29% New party
All 81 provinces of Turkey

The Turkish local elections of 2019 will be held on or before Sunday, 31 March 2019 throughout the 81 provinces of Turkey. A total of 30 metropolitan and 1,351 district municipal mayors, alongside 1,251 provincial and 20,500 municipal councillors will be elected, in addition to numerous local non-partisan positions such as neighbourhood presidents (muhtars) and elderly people's councils.

Background

Turkey holds local elections every five years in the final Sunday of March. The last election, held on 30 March 2014, resulted in a victory for the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP), which won control of both Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey's top two cities. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) came second, winning control of İzmir, Turkey's third city. The elections were the first test of support following widespread anti-government protests in Summer 2013 and a corruption scandal in December 2013. The elections resulted in numerous allegations of electoral fraud, as well as re-runs in districts such as Yalova and Ağrı where recounts and fraud allegations failed to return a decisive winner.

The 2019 elections will follow two landmark elections that were held on 24 June 2018, namely a presidential vote and a parliamentary vote, where the incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was re-elected with 52.59% of the vote. With his re-election, he assumed widely expanded executive powers that were approved by voters in a highly controversial constitutional referendum in 2017. His AK Party lost its majority in the Grand National Assembly but retains its majority with support from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), together with which the AKP forms an electoral alliance named the People's Alliance. The 2019 local elections will be the last scheduled elections to be held in Turkey until 23 June 2023.

Early election speculation

Following the election of the 27th Parliament of Turkey on 24 June 2018, the AKP government publicly announced its intention to bring the local elections forward from March 2019 to November 2018. Although the opposition claimed they were ready for a local election, they did not publicly back the government's call. It was speculated that the government's desire for an early election was related to the sharp economic downturn that took place shortly after the June 2018 elections, with fears that it would lead to a reduction in the AKP's vote share.

The dates of local elections are enshrined in the Constitution of Turkey, meaning that any motion to hold them on a different date would require a constitutional amendment. This would require a two-thirds majority in the Grand National Assembly or a three-fifths majority along with approval in a referendum. The People's Alliance between the AKP and MHP only held 57% of the seats, making the proposal unrealistic. The government subsequently dropped plans to bring the poll forward.

Positions elected

The 2019 local elections will be the second to be held following the 2013 Turkish local government reorganisation, which merged several municipalities and substantially reduced the number of councillors and mayors elected. Mayors and councillors are elected separately. District municipalities consist of two types; actual district municipalities (of which there are 921) and 397 town municipalities that serve even smaller settlements in rural provinces. The elected positions are shown below.

Mayors
Type Elected
Metropolitan municipality 30
District municipality 1,318
 
Councillors
Type Elected
Municipal councillors 20,500
Provincial councillors 1,251

In addition to these partisan positions, numerous local non-partisan positions such as neighbourhood presidents (muhtars) and elderly people's councils will be elected. According to 2018 figures, the number of muhtars due to be elected is 50,229.

Municipal changes since 2014

Removal of mayors for malpractice

All districts where mayors have been removed from office between 2014 and 2019
  DBP (92) – PKK terrorism charges
  AKP (4) – FETÖ terrorism charges
  CHP (2) – Corruption charges
  MHP (1) – FETÖ terrorism charges

Following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt on 15 July 2016, several mayors, mostly from the Kurdish Nationalist Democratic Regions Party (DBP), were removed from office by the Interior Ministry and were temporarily replaced by government-appointed trustees. Most of these mayors were removed from office due to charges of joining, aiding or conducting propaganda activities for a terrorist organisation, namely the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Several DBP district party executives were also suspended from office on terrorism charges. In addition, four AKP mayors and one MHP mayor were removed after being arrested for aiding the Fethullah Gülen Terrorist Organisation (FETÖ), the perpetrators of the coup attempt.

The removal of mayors and district party executives began with a state of emergency decree on 1 September 2016, with the district Kaymakam being given the role of acting mayor in some instances. As of 14 October 2018, four AKP mayors, one MHP mayor and 94 DBP mayors have been removed from office.

In addition to removal on the grounds of national security, a number of mayors have been removed from office on corruption charges. In these cases, municipal councillors retained the right to appoint a successor, as opposed to the Interior Ministry appointing a trustee. On these grounds, the CHP mayors of Ataşehir and Beşiktaş, both districts of Istanbul, were removed from office on 8 December 2017 and 4 January 2018, respectively. The CHP slammed the decisions as politically motivated, but the CHP majorities in both councils were able to elect a CHP successor in their place.

'Fatigue' resignations of AKP mayors

On 30 May 2017, shortly after a controversial declaration of victory in the 2017 constitutional referendum and election as AK Party leader, President Erdoğan made a statement claiming that his party was suffering from 'metal fatigue' and called on poorly-performing party provincial executives to leave their posts. Seven AKP provincial chairmen resigned their posts by the end of 2017 in response to Erdoğan's call. The intention of the AKP party executive to 'regenerate' the party resulted in pressure on some of the party's more controversial, long-serving or poorly-performing mayors to resign.

On 23 September 2017, Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş, in office since 2004, resigned. This was followed by Düzce Mayor Mehmet Keleş on 2 October. On 18 October, the Mayor of Niğde, Faruk Akdoğan, resigned. On 23 October, the Mayor of Bursa, Recep Altepe, announced his resignation. On 27 October, Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek resigned after weeks of unsuccessful negotiations with Erdoğan to retain his office. On 30 October, Balıkesir Mayor Edip Uğur also resigned after initially refusing to heed to the party executive's pressure. Making an emotional resignation statement, Uğur stated that his resignation was forced and that his family had received threats in the event he continued to resist.

On 18 September 2018, the AKP Mayor of Ordu Enver Yılmaz announced his resignation. His resignation was seen as non-related to the 'metal fatigue' regeneration drive but due to personal disagreements with high-ranking party official and deputy leader Numan Kurtulmuş, who is an MP for Ordu.

Defections between parties

A number of mayors switched parties between 2014 and 2019. A number of these defections were down to the formation of the İyi Party, which took away substantial support from the Nationalist Movement Party. A total of 10 municipal mayors switched to İYİ between the party's establishment on 25 October 2017 and 2019. The Mayor of Mersin, Burhanettin Kocamaz, switched to İYİ from the MHP on 4 December 2018, becoming the party's first metropolitan mayor.

The Mayor of İnhisar in Bilecik, Ayhan Ödübek, joined the CHP in 2018 having resigned from the MHP in 2016. On 9 May 2017, Mayor Mustafa Gül of Kemer, in Antalya, resigned from the MHP and joined the CHP. On 20 October 2018, Mayor Rasim Daşhan of Şaphane, in Kütahya, resigned from the CHP and joined the AKP. On 13 November 2018, Mayor Gökhan Demirtaş of Gülüç, a small town in the Ereğli district of Zonguldak, resigned from the CHP and joined the AKP.

Parties and alliances

Due to the first-past-the-post system used to elect mayors, the elections were preceded by several inter-party negotiations and calculations of tactical voting to improve the chances of defeating the candidates of certain parties. Three broad alliances were formed in the run-up to the vote. Unlike in parliamentary elections where electoral alliances have legal foundations and affect the translation of votes into seats, the alliances formed for local elections do not have any legal foundations and merely consist of parties withdrawing their candidates in support for another.

People's Alliance (AKP and MHP)

Main article: People's Alliance (Turkey)

The People's Alliance was founded in February 2018 between the AKP and MHP as a union of parties supporting the re-election of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the 2018 presidential election. During the election campaign, the two parties were joined by the Great Union Party (BBP) and stated that the alliance would last until the next general elections 2023.

Speculation continued after the 2018 general election as to whether the People's Alliance would remain for the local elections. Despite initial mixed signals, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli announced in September 2018 that he intended to support AKP candidates in key races and continue the alliance into the local election. After a series of disagreements with the AKP, particularly in relation to the reinsertion of the Student Oath, the MHP announced that it would be contesting the elections alone. The 'temporary suspension' of the alliance was subsequently confirmed by Erdoğan. However, a month later after a meeting between the two leaders, the Alliance was declared to have resumed, with the MHP subsequently pulling its candidates in favour of the AKP in numerous provinces, such as Ankara and Istanbul.

Nation Alliance (CHP and İyi)

Main article: Nation Alliance (Turkey)

The Nation Alliance was the main opposition alliance during the 2018 general election, being formed by the CHP, the İyi Party, the Democrat Party and the Felicity Party. The Alliance was declared to have formally dissolved shortly after the elections. However, negotiations of a local election alliance between the CHP and the İyi Party continued in the latter months of 2018. The alliance was finalised on 12 December, with the İyi Party agreeing to not field mayoral candidates in Aydın, Muğla, Tekirdağ, Hatay, İzmir, Eskişehir, Ankara, Istanbul, Antalya, Bursa or Adana. Both parties would field a candidate in Mersin while the CHP would support the İyi Party's candidate in Balıkesir.

On 18 December 2018, the CHP and İyi Party's joint candidate in Ankara was announced to be Mansur Yavaş, who narrowly lost to the AKP's candidate Melih Gökçek in the 2014 local election amid allegations of fraud. Upon announcing his candidacy, Yavaş declared himself to be the 'Nation Alliance' candidate.

HDP-DBP Alliance

With the establishment of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in 2012, the existing dominant Kurdish nationalist party, the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) restructured itself into a purely local election-based organisation and renamed itself to Democratic Regions Party (DBP). In the 2014 local elections, the DBP contested areas with a significant Kurdish population while the HDP ran in provinces where Kurdish populations were minimal. While the DBP won 100 mayors in 2014, the HDP failed to win any municipalities and won just 9 municipal councillors.

In August 2018, it was announced that the existing relationship between the HDP and DBP, where the latter would contest Kurdish populated regions, would be abandoned and the HDP would contest the election throughout the whole country. The DBP announced its support for the HDP, with both parties launching a joint campaign workshop in Diyarbakır on 20 October. The parties announced that other Kurdish parties were welcome to join their alliance, while stating that there was no intention to form an alliance with the main opposition CHP. On 6 January 2019, six Kurdish parties agreed to join HDP after negotiations. The parties are Communist Party of Kurdistan, the Freedom Movement, the Revolutionary Eastern Culture Associations, the Human and Freedom Party, the Kurdish Democratic Platform and the Kurdistan Democratic Party – Turkey.

Controversies

Due to the small number of votes needed to swing the election results in some low-population districts, local elections in Turkey are known to experience more cases of alleged fraud than legislative or presidential elections. This was the case in the 2014 Turkish local elections where severe cases were reported in Ankara (where the 2014 mayoral vote remains disputed to this day), Yalova (where the election had to be repeated) and other important provinces such as Istanbul, Eskişehir and Antalya. The 2014 election marked the first time a ballot official was sentenced to prison for electoral fraud, having been caught transferring opposition votes to the ruling AKP candidate.

'Fake voters' controversy

The preliminary electoral roll was published in January 2018 to allow voters to check their polling districts and make any changes during a 'complaint period'. Following the publication of voter lists, many opposition politicians alleged that voters had been deliberately switched from one district to a neighbouring district as a means of tipping the result to favour a certain candidate. Similar allegations have been made in the run-up to elections in the past.

On 6 January, the Mayor of the CHP-held Istanbul district of Adalar publicised some research into the changes in his district's electoral roll between the 24 June 2018 elections and 2019, where the number of voters substantially increased by 7% in the space of six months. The research found that up to 500 (56%) of the new voters had been transferred to Adalar from neighbouring districts such as Sultanbeyli, which are heavily pro-AKP and thus have an excess of AKP voters. Their addresses were recorded at either uninhabitable buildings or the local AKP district offices. The move, which the mayor claimed to be an attempt by the government to engineer the result in Adalar to result in his defeat, was branded 'the biggest fake voter scandal in the history of the Republic'.

In an effort to identify fake voters in other parts of the country, the local CHP offices in Balçova, İzmir announced the formation of a team of 200 people to raise awareness and locate electoral roll fraud.

Key races

Target municipalities

The following lists the five closest losses of the top two parties in the 2014 Turkish local elections.

AK Party targets
Municipality Incumbent Needed to win
Yalova CHP 0.4%
Hatay CHP 0.6%
Zonguldak CHP 1.3%
Adana MHP 1.6%
Manisa MHP 3.4%
 
CHP targets
Municipality Incumbent Needed to win
Ankara AKP 1.1%
Ardahan AKP 1.6%
Antalya AKP 1.8%
Kars MHP 3.3%
Mersin MHP 3.7%

Opinion polls

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (July 2017)
Date Pollster Sample AKP CHP MHP HDP İYİ Others Lead
7-13 October 2018 ORC 5,186 40.3 29.7 19.5 6.3 2.9 1.1 10.6
11 Jul 2016 AKAM 8,890 40.6 32.3 11.7 11.6 — 3.8 8.3
1 Nov 2015 Local elections 2014 43,543,717 42.9 26.3 17.8 6.3 — 6.8 16.5

Results

Changes in control

The list below shows the parties governing the capitals of the 81 provinces before and after the local elections. Provinces in bold denote metropolitan municipalities.

Summary
Party / alliance:
Before:
Elected:
Change:
 
Party totals
AKP CHP MHP HDP İYİ Others
48 14 7 0 1 11
 
Alliance totals
People's Nation HDP Non-aligned
55 15 0 11

Full list

Province Before Elected
Adana MHP
Adıyaman AKP
Afyon AKP
Ağrı IND
Amasya AKP
Ankara AKP
Antalya AKP
Artvin AKP
Aydın CHP
Balıkesir AKP
Bilecik AKP
Bingöl AKP
Bitlis IND
Bolu AKP
Burdur CHP
Bursa AKP
Çanakkale CHP
 
Province Before Elected
Çankırı AKP
Çorum AKP
Denizli AKP
Diyarbakır IND
Edirne CHP
Elazığ AKP
Erzincan AKP
Erzurum AKP
Eskişehir CHP
Gaziantep AKP
Giresun CHP
Gümüşhane AKP
Hakkâri IND
Hatay CHP
Isparta MHP
Mersin İYİ
Istanbul AKP
 
Province Before Elected
İzmir CHP
Kars MHP
Kastamonu AKP
Kayseri AKP
Kırklareli CHP
Kırşehir AKP
Kocaeli AKP
Konya AKP
Kütahya AKP
Malatya AKP
Manisa MHP
K. Maraş AKP
Mardin IND
Muğla CHP
Muş AKP
Nevşehir AKP
Niğde AKP
 
Province Before Elected
Ordu AKP
Rize AKP
Sakarya AKP
Samsun AKP
Siirt IND
Sinop CHP
Sivas AKP
Tekirdağ CHP
Tokat AKP
Trabzon AKP
Tunceli IND
Şanlıurfa AKP
Uşak AKP
Van IND
Yozgat AKP
Zonguldak CHP
Aksaray AKP
 
Province Before Elected
Bayburt AKP
Karaman AKP
Kırıkkale AKP
Batman IND
Şırnak IND
Bartın MHP
Ardahan AKP
Iğdır IND
Yalova CHP
Karabük MHP
Kilis AKP
Osmaniye MHP
Düzce AKP

Notes

  1. Supported by the left-wing political parties and groups of the HDK

References

  1. https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-46603960
  2. https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-46603960
  3. http://www.haber7.com/guncel/haber/2687846-erken-secim-tarihi-one-cekilecek-mi-bu-yil-yerel-secim-ne-zaman-2018
  4. https://www.haberturk.com/son-dakika-erken-yerel-secim-olabilir-mi-iste-son-aciklamalar-2042479
  5. http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/koseyazisi/1091527/Yerel_secimler_ve_ekonomik_kriz.html
  6. https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr/politika/2018/07/02/kahraman-erken-yerel-secim-anayasaya-uygun-degil/
  7. https://bisorubicevap.com/genel-kultur/turkiye-de-kac-tane-ilce-kac-tane-belediye-kac-tane-koy-vardir
  8. http://www.muhtarlarkonfederasyonu.org/e-bulten/turkiye-de-muhtar-sayisi.html
  9. https://www.ensonhaber.com/kayyum-atanan-belediyeler-listesi.html
  10. https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr/gundem/2016/11/17/dbpnin-elinde-3-il-belediyesi-kaldi/
  11. https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-45855245
  12. http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/siyaset/882441/Atasehir_Belediye_Baskani_Battal_ilgezdi_gorevden_uzaklastirildi.html
  13. http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-besiktas-belediye-baskani-gorevden-uzaklastirildi-40699944
  14. http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/chpde-besiktas-soku-40700152
  15. https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2017/gundem/akpdeki-istifalarin-perde-arkasi-son-dakika-haberleri-1983797/
  16. http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/kadir-topbas-istifa-etti-40587764
  17. https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2017/gundem/son-dakika-duzce-belediye-baskani-istifa-etti-2033300/
  18. http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-ak-partili-nigde-belediye-baskani-gorevinden-istifa-etti-40614455
  19. https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/son-dakika-haberi-bursabuyuksehir-belediye-baskani-recep-altepe-istifa-etti,QV5Ol9vxDU-fGDQWzkBzoA
  20. https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2018/gundem/ordu-buyuksehir-belediye-baskani-istifa-etti-2632922/
  21. https://m.bianet.org/bianet/siyaset/191088-balikesir-belediye-baskani-istifa-etti-tehdide-varan-mudahaleler-var
  22. https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/balikesir-belediye-baskaniedip-ugur-gorevinden-istifa-etti,sK6mZDB8_EawbzJXmtNZNQ
  23. https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2018/gundem/ordu-buyuksehir-belediye-baskani-istifa-etti-2632922/
  24. http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/mersin/mersin-buyuksehir-belediye-baskani-kocamaz-iyi-41040198
  25. https://www.haberler.com/inhisar-bagimsiz-belediye-baskani-chp-ye-gecti-11381933-haberi/
  26. http://t24.com.tr/haber/chpli-belediye-baskani-akpye-gecti-ozume-dondum,728375
  27. https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/chpli-belediye-baskani-ak-partiye-gecti-3408400
  28. https://www.amerikaninsesi.com/a/turkiyede-ittifak-ruzgarlari-esiyor/4668300.html
  29. https://www.takvim.com.tr/guncel/2018/09/30/mhp-genel-baskani-devlet-bahceliden-flas-cumhur-ittifaki-aciklamasi
  30. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/will-erdogan-s-power-be-shaken-after-losing-his-biggest-ally-turkey-394900389
  31. http://t24.com.tr/haber/erdogandan-bahceliye-yerel-secim-yaniti-herkes-kendi-yoluna,730052
  32. http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-erdogan-bahceli-gorusmesi-sona-erdi-41026570
  33. https://www.cnnturk.com/video/turkiye/son-dakika-chp-ile-iyi-parti-anlasti
  34. https://www.amerikaninsesi.com/a/chp-ankara-ve-istanbul-adaylarına-karar-verdi/4706042.html
  35. https://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/yerelde-dbp-rafa-kalkti-yerel-secime-hdp-girecek-228720.html
  36. http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/siyaset/1112775/HDP_ve_DBP__secim_startini_Diyarbakir_dan_verecek.html
  37. https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-45927229
  38. "7 Kurdish parties join forces with HDP for Turkey provincial elections". Rûdaw. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  39. https://www.timeturk.com/tr/2014/03/31/bu-illerde-oylar-yeniden-sayilacak.html
  40. http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/yerel-secimde-hile-cezasi-5-yil-hapis-29209460
  41. https://t24.com.tr/haber/2-bucuk-milyon-sahte-secmen-var,584152
  42. https://www.gercekgundem.com/siyaset/61593/chp-adalarda-yaklasik-500-hayali-secmen-tespit-etti
  43. http://halktv.com.tr/31-mart-secimleri-oncesi-hayali-secmen-iddiasi-355101
  44. https://www.gercekgundem.com/siyaset/61625/cumhuriyet-tarihinin-en-buyuk-sahte-secmen-olayiyla-karsi-karsiyayiz
  45. http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/izmir/balcova/chp-balcova-orgutunden-sahte-secmen-calismasi-41065194


Turkey Elections and referendums in Turkey
Presidential elections
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See also: Elections in the Ottoman Empire
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