Turkey’s ruling party loses Istanbul re-run mayoral election

Turkey's ruling AK Party has lost control of Istanbul after a re-run of the city's mayoral election, delivering a stinging blow to President Erdogan.

Ekrem Imamoglu of the secularist Republican People’s Party (CHP) secured 54.21% of votes, the head of the High Election Board announced on Monday - a far wider victory margin than his narrow win three months ago.

That victory in March was annulled after the AKP alleged irregularities.

The result ends 25 years of AKP rule in Istanbul.

The AKP's candidate, former Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, conceded to his opponent.

On Sunday and in the early hours Monday, tens of thousands of Imamoglu supporters celebrated in the streets of Istanbul after the former businessman triumphed over AK Party’s candidate.

“In this city today, you have fixed democracy. Thank you Istanbul,” Imamoglu told supporters who made heart signs with their hands, in an expression of the inclusive election rhetoric that has been the hallmark of his campaigning.

“We came to embrace everyone,” he said. “We will build democracy in this city, we will build justice. In this beautiful city, I promise, we will build the future.”

He added that he was willing to work with Erdogan, saying: "Mr. President, I am ready to work in harmony with you."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote on Twitter: "I congratulate Ekrem Imamoglu who has won the election based on preliminary results."

Imamoglu, 49, is the mayor of Istanbul's Beylikduzu district but his name was barely known before he ran in the March election while his opponent, Yildirim, handpicked candidate by Erdogan was a founding member of the ruling AKP and was prime minister from 2016 until 2018, when Turkey became a presidential democracy and the role ceased to exist.

He was elected Speaker of the new parliament in February and before that served as minister of transportation and communication.