Explained: Turkey’s President Erdogan suffers setback in Istanbul Mayor’s elections

The Opposition, which appeared tired and not ready for a fight, has been re-energised after the win. Local neighbourhoods in Istanbul like Besiktas, which sits by the famous Bosporus, erupted in joy, as the election results started pouring in.

While this is a ray of hope for the beleaguered opposition, it is too early to write an epitaph for Erdogan, who has positioned himself as the most powerful leader since Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the modern Turkish republic.

Imamoglu will face a local council, which is still controlled by Erdogan’s party, and he will have to navigate the politics to become an effective elected official.

And, national elections are not scheduled until 2023. Though there will be calls for an early election, it will be a test of Erdogan’s political mind to face an Opposition which is on a rebound.