Istanbul’s Mayor-elect Cheers 2nd Victory after Defeating Erdogan-Backed Rival

The opposition candidate for mayor of Istanbul on Sunday declared victory in a high-stakes repeat election after his rival backed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conceded defeat.

Ekrem Imamoglu’s victory means Turkey’s largest city won’t be governed by Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party or its predecessor for the first time in 25 years.

Imamoglu, 49, backed by Turkey’s opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) narrowly defeated former Prime Minister Benali Yildirim, the candidate of Erdogan’s party, in the city election held March 31.

But the governing party challenged the results and Turkey’s election commission voided the vote after Imamoglu already had been inaugurated and taken office.

His campaign for the redo election galvanized his supporters, who flocked to daily rallies in Istanbul. Vans playing music and messages in support of Imamoglu drove around the city of 15 million people all.

Yildirim, who campaigned on a promise to modernize the city’s infrastructure and transport systems, thanked thousands of supporters who attended his final rally Saturday as campaigning officially ended.

“By God’s grace look at this crowd,” he said. “This is such a passion, this is such an excitement.”

Imamoglu’s campaign focused on urban poverty. He also took aim at what he alleged is the Turkish government’s cronyism and use of public contracts to enrich Justice and Development Party backers.

Erdogan’s government denied the allegation and pointed to its long-term record of delivering economic growth.

On Sunday, Imamoglu promised “a new beginning” for Turkey’s largest city and expressed his willingness to work with Erdogan after initial results showed he was set for a comfortable win.

Imamoglu had won 54% of votes with almost all of the ballot boxes opened, according to broadcasters, putting him well ahead of Yildirim.