Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP suffered a major blow in Sunday's local election with the ruling party set to lose the capital Ankara and risking defeat in the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turks-vote-in-test-for-erdogan-as-recession-hits-home-207064"> country's economic hub Istanbul</a>.

Losing Turkey's two major cities would be a clear setback for Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) who won every vote in a decade and a half in power thanks in part to economic growth.&nbsp;

The Turkish leader campaigned hard portraying the vote for mayors and district councils as a fight for survival, but the election became a test of AKP's support as an economic slowdown took hold after a collapse of the lira currency.&nbsp;

With 99 per cent of the ballot boxes counted, the joint opposition candidate for Ankara mayor, Mansur Yavas was winning with 50.89 per cent of votes and the AKP on 47.06 per cent, Anadolu state agency reported citing preliminary results.

In Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, the race for mayor was deadlocked with the AKP candidate claiming victory with 48.70 per cent of votes, but his opponent on 48.65 per cent also saying he had won after almost all ballot boxes were counted there.&nbsp;

Speaking to thousands of supporters in Ankara, Erdogan portrayed the election as a victory for AKP, which along with coalition partner, the rightwing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), won more than 50 per cent of the votes nationwide. But he did not refer directly to the loss of Ankara.

"If there are any shortcomings, it is our duty to correct them," Erdogan told supporters. "Starting tomorrow morning, we will begin our work to identify our shortcomings and make up for them."

He said suggested if his party lost in Istanbul, they would still control district councils even if the opposition held the mayor's office.

Sunday's poll was the first municipal ballot since Turks approved constitutional reforms in 2017 to create an executive presidency that gave Erdogan wider powers after 16 years in office.

But Erdogan, whose ability to win continuously at the polls is unparalleled in Turkish history thanks to support among more pious, conservative Turks, was more vulnerable with the economy in recession, unemployment higher and inflation in double digits.

Ankara fireworks

Much of the AKP's success has been down to Erdogan's perceived economic prowess, but days before the vote, the Turkish lira was sliding again, provoking memories of the 2018 currency crisis that badly hurt Turkish households.

In Ankara, Yavas -- the candidate for both the opposition Republican People's Party or CHP and the nationalist Good Party -- claimed victory in a large rally full of supporters waving red Turkish flags and setting off fireworks.

"No one has lost. Ankara has won. All of Ankara has won, hand in hand," he told supporters.

Yavas had been slightly ahead in some recent opinion polls before the election.

"Erdogan is known with his success in the local elections and his model of government is highly based on his local experience," Emre Erdogan, a professor at Istanbul Bilgi University and no relation to the president.&nbsp;

"These losses will harm his reputation as a good local politician."

Istanbul dead heat

In Istanbul, a city where Erdogan had sometimes described victory as like winning Turkey itself, the race had been very tight. Erdogan fielded one of his loyalists, former prime minister Binali Yildirim, in a push to win the city.

Erdogan, who began his own political career as Istanbul mayor, personally campaigned hard across Turkey, often with several rallies a day, even though he was not on the ballot. He was often rallying in Istanbul's districts.

"We have won the election in Istanbul. We thank Istanbul's residents for the mandate they have given us," Yildirim told supporters as final tallies were arriving.

But his opponent Ekrem Imamoglu dismissed Yildirim's claim as an attempt to manipulate opinion.

"I would like to announce to Istanbul's residents and all of Turkey that our numbers show that it is clear we won Istanbul," Imamoglu said in a speech in the early hours of Monday.

Looking to galvanise his base among conservative Turks, the president cast the election as a matter of survival, attacking opposition candidates by branding them as linked to PKK Kurdish militants.

For his supporters, Erdogan remains the strong leader they believe Turkey needs and they tout the country's economic development over the years he and the AKP have been in power.&nbsp;

But rights activists and even Turkey's Western allies say that under Erdogan's leadership, democracy has been eroded, particularly after a failed 2016 coup that led to tens of thousands of people being arrested.

Observers say that with most media pro-government, opposition parties campaigned at a disadvantage because Erdogan's daily rallies dominated TV coverage.

The opposition pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has refused to field candidates in several cities, saying the elections are unfair. Some of its leaders have been jailed on terror charges, accusations they reject.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP suffered a major blow in Sunday's local election with the ruling party set to lose the capital Ankara and risking defeat in the country's economic hub Istanbul.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP suffered a major blow in Sunday's local election with the ruling party set to lose the capital Ankara and risking defeat in the country's economic hub Istanbul. Losing Turkey's two major cities would be a clear setback for Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) who won every vote in a decade and a half in power thanks in part to economic growth. The Turkish leader campaigned hard portraying the vote for mayors and district councils as a fight for survival, but the election became a test of AKP's support as an economic slowdown took hold after a collapse of the lira currency. With 99 per cent of the ballot boxes counted, the joint opposition candidate for Ankara mayor, Mansur Yavas was winning with 50.89 per cent of votes and the AKP on 47.06 per cent, Anadolu state agency reported citing preliminary results. In Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, the race for mayor was deadlocked with the AKP candidate claiming victory with 48.70 per cent of votes, but his opponent on 48.65 per cent also saying he had won after almost all ballot boxes were counted there. Speaking to thousands of supporters in Ankara, Erdogan portrayed the election as a victory for AKP, which along with coalition partner, the rightwing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), won more than 50 per cent of the votes nationwide. But he did not refer directly to the loss of Ankara. "If there are any shortcomings, it is our duty to correct them," Erdogan told supporters. "Starting tomorrow morning, we will begin our work to identify our shortcomings and make up for them." He said suggested if his party lost in Istanbul, they would still control district councils even if the opposition held the mayor's office. Sunday's poll was the first municipal ballot since Turks approved constitutional reforms in 2017 to create an executive presidency that gave Erdogan wider powers after 16 years in office. But Erdogan, whose ability to win continuously at the polls is unparalleled in Turkish history thanks to support among more pious, conservative Turks, was more vulnerable with the economy in recession, unemployment higher and inflation in double digits. Ankara fireworks Much of the AKP's success has been down to Erdogan's perceived economic prowess, but days before the vote, the Turkish lira was sliding again, provoking memories of the 2018 currency crisis that badly hurt Turkish households. In Ankara, Yavas -- the candidate for both the opposition Republican People's Party or CHP and the nationalist Good Party -- claimed victory in a large rally full of supporters waving red Turkish flags and setting off fireworks. "No one has lost. Ankara has won. All of Ankara has won, hand in hand," he told supporters. Yavas had been slightly ahead in some recent opinion polls before the election. "Erdogan is known with his success in the local elections and his model of government is highly based on his local experience," Emre Erdogan, a professor at Istanbul Bilgi University and no relation to the president. "These losses will harm his reputation as a good local politician." Istanbul dead heat In Istanbul, a city where Erdogan had sometimes described victory as like winning Turkey itself, the race had been very tight. Erdogan fielded one of his loyalists, former prime minister Binali Yildirim, in a push to win the city. Erdogan, who began his own political career as Istanbul mayor, personally campaigned hard across Turkey, often with several rallies a day, even though he was not on the ballot. He was often rallying in Istanbul's districts. "We have won the election in Istanbul. We thank Istanbul's residents for the mandate they have given us," Yildirim told supporters as final tallies were arriving. But his opponent Ekrem Imamoglu dismissed Yildirim's claim as an attempt to manipulate opinion. "I would like to announce to Istanbul's residents and all of Turkey that our numbers show that it is clear we won Istanbul," Imamoglu said in a speech in the early hours of Monday. Looking to galvanise his base among conservative Turks, the president cast the election as a matter of survival, attacking opposition candidates by branding them as linked to PKK Kurdish militants. For his supporters, Erdogan remains the strong leader they believe Turkey needs and they tout the country's economic development over the years he and the AKP have been in power. But rights activists and even Turkey's Western allies say that under Erdogan's leadership, democracy has been eroded, particularly after a failed 2016 coup that led to tens of thousands of people being arrested. Observers say that with most media pro-government, opposition parties campaigned at a disadvantage because Erdogan's daily rallies dominated TV coverage. The opposition pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has refused to field candidates in several cities, saying the elections are unfair. Some of its leaders have been jailed on terror charges, accusations they reject.

Turkish President Erdogan's ruling AKP suffers setback in Ankara's local election

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that his AK Party appeared to have lost Sunday's mayoral elections in Istanbul, but added that they remained "the number one party" in Turkey.

Erdogan also said his party would appeal results wherever needed, and added that he would take the necessary measures at ministries and institutions to make the system of governance more dynamic. He said there would not be other elections for four and a half years.

AKP candidate and fomer prime minister Binali Yildirim had declared victory in Istanbul earlier, in a move his opposition rival called "manipulation."

Turkey's main opposition party said it won control of Ankara in local elections, defeating President Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party in the capital for the first time, and challenged his party's claim to have held Istanbul by the narrowest margin.

Defeat for Erdogan's party in Ankara would be a significant setback for the president, who campaigned relentlessly for two months ahead of a vote he described as a "matter of survival" for Turkey. Losing Istanbul, Turkey's largest city and a platform for his own political career, would be a greater blow.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that his AK Party appeared to have lost Sunday's mayoral elections in Istanbul, but added that they remained "the number one party" in Turkey.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that his AK Party appeared to have lost Sunday's mayoral elections in Istanbul, but added that they remained "the number one party" in Turkey. Erdogan also said his party would appeal results wherever needed, and added that he would take the necessary measures at ministries and institutions to make the system of governance more dynamic. He said there would not be other elections for four and a half years. AKP candidate and fomer prime minister Binali Yildirim had declared victory in Istanbul earlier, in a move his opposition rival called "manipulation." Turkey's main opposition party said it won control of Ankara in local elections, defeating President Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party in the capital for the first time, and challenged his party's claim to have held Istanbul by the narrowest margin. Defeat for Erdogan's party in Ankara would be a significant setback for the president, who campaigned relentlessly for two months ahead of a vote he described as a "matter of survival" for Turkey. Losing Istanbul, Turkey's largest city and a platform for his own political career, would be a greater blow.

Turkish President Erdogan says his party may have lost Istanbul mayorship

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Turkish President Erdogan's ruling AKP suffers setback in Ankara's local election

Turkish President Erdogan says his party may have lost Istanbul mayorship