Turkey’s shock elections offer lessons against electoral autocracies
Washington Post
Turkey Reinstates Newly-Elected Pro-Kurdish Mayor After Protests
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The Facts
Turkey has validated the victory of Abdullah Zeydan of the pro-Kurdish Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) as mayor of the city of Van after his initial disqualification sparked protests.
Zeydan won Sunday's municipal polls in the eastern city with 55% of the vote, but a court disqualified his candidacy at the last moment, as he had previously spent time in prison.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
This singular DEM victory cannot overshadow the political program Erdogan has ahead of him. Despite having already enacted significant reforms and diplomatic efforts during years spent in power, the Turkish leader is set to make a historic visit to Iraq, host the German president, and meet with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Erdogan is continuing to lead Turkey by establishing ever stronger relations with key international players, as well as by achieving domestic legislative reform.
Pro-establishment narrative
After roughly a decade at the top of Turkish politics, it’s clear that Erdogan’s time has run out. Support for DEM opponents reflects growing distaste for Erdogan’s authoritarian antics and censorship. Despite a convincing economic record in the 2000s, and residual loyalty from some over the president’s image as a hero of an abandoned Turkish underclass, the regime is unquestionably in trouble.