Erdogan on Track to Lose Turkey’s Biggest Cities in Shock Poll Upset

Erdogan on Track to Lose Turkey’s Biggest Cities in Shock Poll Upset
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses people demonstrating against the failed military coup attempt in Turkey, via video conferencing at the Turkish Presidency in Ankara, Turkey, on July 24, 2016. Yasin Bulbul/AFP/Getty Images
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ANKARA/ISTANBUL—Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party was on track on April 1 to lose control of Turkey’s two biggest cities, Istanbul and Ankara, in a stunning local election setback that could complicate the president’s plans to combat recession.

While official vote tallies and Turkish broadcasters put the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidates ahead in both cities, the Islamist-rooted AKP promised appeals that could delay the final results for days.