Emergence of Ekrem Imamoglu as a Challenger to Tayyip Erdogan
Newly re-elected Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu emerges as the main challenger to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's reign, celebrating victory with a message to Erdogan and officials. Both have strong voter appeal and family roots in the Black Sea region, but Imamoglu is from the secular CHP party, while Erdogan reshaped Turkey with an Islamist vision. Erdogan's critics cite eroding civil rights and press freedoms, while Imamoglu faces judicial challenges. Imamoglu's success lies in winning over conservative voters.