Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), witnessed record turnout in its presidential primary, with 15 million citizens casting their votes, party officials said on Saturday.
The high participation comes amid growing dissatisfaction with President Tayyip Erdoğan’s government, which has faced criticism over economic turmoil, allegations of cronyism, and judicial independence.
Ekrem İmamoğlu, a prominent opposition figure, hailed the results, calling them a sign of mounting frustration. “Millions who have suffered under oppression, economic collapse, incompetence, and injustice rushed to the polls,” İmamoğlu said.
He added that voters had delivered a clear message to Erdoğan: “Enough is enough.”
Supporters gathered in Istanbul’s Saraçhane district and other cities across Turkey, celebrating what they see as a turning point in the country’s political landscape. İmamoğlu vowed that the opposition would deliver a resounding electoral defeat to the ruling government in the upcoming national vote.
The presidential election is widely seen as a crucial test for Erdoğan, whose two-decade rule has faced mounting pressure amid economic woes and accusations of democratic backsliding.
