The opposition is hoping to regain some power in the local elections on March 31, particularly in Istanbul where Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition's biggest hope, is the mayor.

The outcome of these elections could either reinforce Erdogan's control or signal a change in the deeply divided political landscape of NATO member Turkiye.

Economic woes, including rampant inflation, and dissatisfaction with the government's performance are expected to shape the results.

The opposition gained hope after defeating Erdogan's AK Party in the 2019 local elections in Istanbul and Ankara, but Erdogan regained power last year by retaining the presidency and winning a parliamentary majority despite voter concerns about the cost-of-living crisis.

A political opposition alliance in Turkey has split ahead of local elections.

The incumbent mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, and the AKP candidate, Murat Kurum, are in a close race in Istanbul, where Erdogan previously served as mayor.

Erdogan has been trying to increase Turkey's role on the world stage and mend relationships with various nations.

During his campaigning, he urged Turks to vote for the AKP to protect against unspecified enemies.

In 2019, Erdogan and the AKP suffered a significant loss when they lost the mayoral seat in Istanbul, which was a blow to Erdogan's reputation.

In this text, Murat Yetkin, an analyst from the Yetkin Report, emphasizes the importance of Erdogan winning the Istanbul mayoral election to extend his power.

Analyst Berk Esen from Sabanci University explains that an Imamoglu victory would revitalize the opposition and give them the strength to challenge Erdogan in the future.

Imamoglu himself encourages young Turks to use their vote to change what is wrong in Turkey.

The outcome of the Istanbul election is crucial for both Erdogan's continued power and the opposition's ability to challenge him.

The text discusses the upcoming local elections in Turkey, specifically in Istanbul, and how the outcome could impact President Erdogan's political standing.

Kurdish voters are expected to play a role in the election, with many predicted to support the opposition candidate Imamoglu instead of party loyalty.

The economy is also a significant factor for voters, and the results in Istanbul will be closely watched as an indicator of the country's direction.

If Imamoglu wins, it could change the political landscape, but if Erdogan loses, it could be a blow to his reputation.