Erdogan's Controlling , AK Party Dealt Major Blow , in Local Elections.
On March 31, Turkey's local election saw the controlling
Justice and Development (AK) Party register
its biggest lost to the nation's main opposition party.
On March 31, Turkey's local election saw the controlling
Justice and Development (AK) Party register
its biggest lost to the nation's main opposition party.
CNN reports that the opposition Republican
People’s Party (CHP) claimed victories in a
number of key cities, including Ankara and Istanbul.
The election for city mayors, district mayors and other
local level officials saw President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's
AK Party lose the popular vote for the first time since 2002.
The losses come nearly one year after Erdogan narrowly
won re-election in May, securing a close runoff vote
victory over opposition leader Kemal Killicdaroglu.
The losses come nearly one year after Erdogan narrowly
won re-election in May, securing a close runoff vote
victory over opposition leader Kemal Killicdaroglu.
According to Turkey's High Electoral Council, preliminary
results showed the CHP wining 35 out of 81 municipalities,
which includes 14 out of 30 of the country's urban areas.
State broadcaster TRT said Erdogan's main political
rival in the CHP, Ekrem Imamoglu, was reelected as
the mayor of Istanbul, earning 51.1% of the vote.
The period of
one-man rule
is over today, Ekrem Imamoglu, CHP Mayor of Istanbul, via CNN.
As we celebrate our victory, we send
a resounding message to the world:
the decline of democracy ends now.
Istanbul stands as a beacon of hope,
a testament to the resilience of democratic
values in the face of rising authoritarianism, Ekrem Imamoglu, CHP Mayor of Istanbul, via CNN.
Other major CHP victories were scored in Ankara, where
incumbent mayor Mansur Yavas won 60.4% of the vote,
and in Izmir, where Cemil Tugay secured 48.9% of the vote.
Other major CHP victories were scored in Ankara, where
incumbent mayor Mansur Yavas won 60.4% of the vote,
and in Izmir, where Cemil Tugay secured 48.9% of the vote.
CNN reports that the most recent elections came amid
an economic downturn that has persisted despite
Erdogan's adoption of more mainstream economic policies.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
8 Countries with Lower
Cost of Living Options.
KindaFrugal.com recently offered some tips for readers
looking to relocate abroad due to the increasing cost
of housing, healthcare and other essential expenses in the U.S. .
Here are some of the countries they say
offer a more reasonable cost of living:.
Portugal, In addition to a relatively low cost of living,
Portugal is a sought-after destination due
to beautiful weather and minimal taxation.
Ecuador, Affordable housing costs include average square
foot prices for city center apartments less than
half the average of in the U.S. at just $116.48.
Vietnam, Affordable housing, inexpensive groceries and
transportation costs make this an attractive option
for expats looking for a comfortable lifestyle overseas.
Montenegro, An affordable lifestyle, beautiful weather and
over 183 miles of coastline gives this quiet
Balkan nation a Mediterranean vibe. .
Malaysia, Reasonable housing, utility and transportation costs
give would-be expats a chance to save money,
while still living comfortably in a tropical nation.
Poland, Europe's sixth-largest economy
has an average cost of living
that's 58% lower than in the U.S.
Thailand, Favorable exchange rates allow Western
expats to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle
while stretching their finances further. .
Costa Rica, Affordable housing, healthcare services and amenities
makes Costa Rica ideal for stretching retirement
savings while still living a more luxurious lifestyle.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Despite the progress made by some Western Balkan countries such as North Macedonia and Albania, challenges remain when it comes to EU accession, including unresolved issues such as the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and the need for structural reforms
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:57Published
The European Commission will today recommend opening EU accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina, eight years after the Western Balkan country applied to be a member of the bloc.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:49Published