Europe | Perishable Goods

Turkey’s opposition hopes for a shake-up in local elections

The Good Party, once the hope of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s foes, has faded

Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu campaigns for local elections in Turkey
Staying true to ImamogluPhotograph: EPA
|Istanbul

Things are not good for the Good (or IYI, in Turkish) Party. Two years ago, having broken off from Turkey’s main nationalist bloc, the party had a full head of steam, polling at nearly 20%. The opposition alliance it joined seemed poised to give Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s president, and his governing coalition a run for their money. But on the eve of local elections set for March 31st, Good is imploding. Support for the party has slipped to single digits. After a disappointing result in last year’s general elections, its alliance with the Republican People’s Party (CHP) has come apart. Senior party officials and lawmakers are leaving Good in droves.

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This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Perishable Goods”

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