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The latest local elections in Turkey represented a key challenge to the various parties and movements. According to national media, they were of the most heated and polarizing political races, though only concerned municipalities. In spite of the difficult situation of the ruling AKP party, the results have more significant signs than its victory in major municipal elections. One of these is the rise of votes for the AKP in contrast with the 2009 elections by 5 million, increasing its share of local councils from 45 to 49. Another outcome is its more widespread winning throughout the country, including 6 councils which consist of 79 municipalities. That is unprecedented in Turkish elections and confirms AKP’s overcoming of other parties in their traditional strongholds as well as its domination in areas out of their influence.
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