happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Apr 1, 2024 15:36:00 GMT -5
If I understand this right, Turkey had local elections across the country on March 31st. Going in it appeared Erdogans party was tied with the opposition CHP party, but actually the CHP party, had substantial victories in key cities. www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68704375.ampThis was the first time Erdogans party was defeated since 2002. Erdogan himself won reelection by a tiny margin in 2023. This was an election for city mayors and district mayors. Most shocking, Erdogan said he would respect the voters and accept the results. Maybe he could talk sense to BFF Trump. |
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djAdvocate
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Post by djAdvocate on Apr 1, 2024 18:05:29 GMT -5
yeah, this was a pleasing result at so many levels.
first of all, the new mayor of Istanbul is a liberal. the kind of man i could support in a run for president. and don't discount the power of that seat. almost 1/3 of Turks live in the greater Istanbul commons. they are going to feel the influence of the mayor and his policies.
second, he is 52. he is part of a new generation that has watched Turkiye rise to and pull back from Democracy in the last two decades under Erdogan.
third, he is a liberal, in the best sense of the term.
count on him running for president in 2029.
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happyhoix
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Joined: Oct 7, 2011 7:22:42 GMT -5
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Post by happyhoix on Apr 1, 2024 18:28:19 GMT -5
In a world that leans more and more to the far right/fascist side, it’s nice to see one country shifting back the other way.
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djAdvocate
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Post by djAdvocate on Apr 1, 2024 18:38:15 GMT -5
yeah, again, very pleasing.
one thing i forgot to mention. Erdogan was once mayor of Istanbul. and he backed the losing candidate.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Apr 2, 2024 0:16:23 GMT -5
My Turkish friend is VERY happy. I got a message from her the other day as to his defeat. When we were there last year, she was really concerned as to the direction Turkey was going and that it was not good. Hopefully, this will stabilize things for them.
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djAdvocate
Member Emeritus
only posting when the mood strikes me.
Joined: Jun 21, 2011 12:33:54 GMT -5
Posts: 76,710
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"000307"}
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Post by djAdvocate on Apr 2, 2024 20:36:28 GMT -5
My Turkish friend is VERY happy. I got a message from her the other day as to his defeat. When we were there last year, she was really concerned as to the direction Turkey was going and that it was not good. Hopefully, this will stabilize things for them. Erdogan's re-election made me shift my long term plans vis-a-vis Turkiye. i IMMEDIATLY started looking at other countries to retire in, as i could not see myself living there. Kemal was a VERY good candidate. a decent man, and a moderate. but he was nearly a decade older than Erdogan. i think that is what killed his chances. Turkiye is pretty hypermasculine, like much of the middle-East. this is indeed very hopeful. |
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