BICOM

European states have criticised the Turkish electoral body’s decision to annul March’s Istanbul mayoral election, which ended in a narrow opposition victory, and order a re-run in June.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Mass has called the decision “incomprehensible,” whilst an EU spokesperson asked Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Board (YSK) to explain the controversial decision “without delay”.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insisted on Tuesday that re-running the Istanbul mayoral vote will only strengthen democracy. “We see this decision as the best step that will strengthen our will to solve problems within the framework of democracy and law,” Erdogan said. The loss of Istanbul — and the capital Ankara — in Turkey’s local elections were sharp blows to Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP). Erdogan had challenged the results, claiming the elections were marred by irregularities. Critics accused the AKP of trying to cling to power in Istanbul, where eight million votes were cast and Ekrem Imamoglu was eventually declared the winner of the mayoral election by a margin of less than 14,000. It was the first time in 25 years the AKP lost an election in Istanbul.

Imamoglu has now been stripped of his official duties as Mayor of Istanbul, described the move as “treacherous”. His CHP party accused the YSK of bowing to pressure from President Erdogan. CHP deputy chair Onursal Adiguzel said the re-run showed it was “illegal to win against the AKP. This system that overrules the will of the people and disregards the law is neither democratic, nor legitimate.”

The EU’s diplomatic chief, Federica Mogherini, said in a statement: “Ensuring a free, fair and transparent election process is essential to any democracy and is at the heart of the European Union’s relations with Turkey.” The French government called on Turkish authorities to show: “Respect for democratic principles, pluralism, fairness [and] transparency”.