EU says March 31 elections show Turks’ commitment to local democracy

Josep Borrell, the European Union’s top diplomat, praised the holding of Sunday’s elections in Turkey in a “calm and professional manner,” saying that it shows the citizens’ “commitment to local democracy.”

Turkey held local elections on Sunday in which approximately 61.4 million Turks, among them 1 million first-time voters, were eligible to cast ballots to elect their mayors, city council members and village heads, or muhtars, across Turkey’s 81 provinces for five-year terms in office.

The elections produced surprising results for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which suffered its worst election defeat since coming to power 20 years ago, while the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has emerged as the country’s leading party for the first time in decades.

The holding of the municipal elections in a calm & professional manner honours Türkiye & shows the citizens’ commitment to local democracy. Fundamental rights & democracy are at the core of our relations: looking forward to working together on reforms bringing 🇹🇷 closer to the EU

— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) April 1, 2024

In a message on X, Borrell, high representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and vice president of the EU Commission, said he is looking forward to working together on reforms bringing Turkey closer to the EU.

Turkey and the EU began membership talks in 2005, but the process has been at a standstill in recent years.

Countries aspiring to become members must align their laws and legislation in 35 policy areas, or negotiating chapters.

EU leaders agreed in 2018 that no new chapters in Turkey’s accession negotiations should be opened or closed.