Editorial: Le Monde

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suffered a significant political setback in the municipal elections on March 31.
• The main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), outscored the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in number of votes.
• In addition to holding the mayors of Istanbul and Ankara, the opposition also won in other towns and cities.
• The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, is now viewed as a potential president for 2028.
• The poor economic situation in Turkey, aggravated by an inflation rate that reached 80% in 2022, may have contributed to the electoral outcome.
• President Erdogan should focus on improving the country's economic situation and avoid diverting attention to the repression of the Kurds or intervention in Syria.
• Despite this hiccup, Erdogan has time to recover as there are no national elections scheduled before 2028.

Conclusion: This electoral setback is a signal of public discontent and could mark a shift in Turkish politics, with the economy as a key concern.

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