LOCAL ELECTION LOSS Erdogan vows to make amends

President Tayyip Erdogan yesterday vowed to correct any mistakes that led to his party’s defeat in Turkey’s local elections where the opposition capitalised on economic woes and alienated Islamist voters, casting uncertainty over his reform plans. Sunday’s vote marked Erdogan and his AK Party’s (AKP) worst defeat in more than 20 years in power, revitalising the opposition party and strengthening Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s standing as the president’s main rival. Redrawing a political map long dominated by the AKP, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) won the popular vote for the first time in decades and swept most of the main cities, penetrating far into conservative central Turkey. Analysts said voters lost patience with both a cost-of-living crisis driven by near 70 percent inflation and Erdogan’s divisive political style. The result bruised his hopes of adopting a new constitution, which could potentially extend his rule beyond 2028 when his term ends, they said. Though AKP and its allies have a majority in parliament, Erdogan would need broader support or a successful referendum for a new constitution. Erdogan delivered a sombre and introspective speech in the early hours yesterday.LondonGBDESK//