Ruling AK Party candidate wins Ankara mayoral election

By Kubra Chohan

ANKARA (AA) - Ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party candidate Mustafa Tuna was elected as the new mayor of Ankara during voting in the municipality assembly on Monday.

The Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Assembly elected Tuna with 104 votes out of 136; the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) did not nominate any candidate.

Speaking after his election victory, Tuna said: “I believe I will always have your support with me. I will try to be worthy of your trust.”

Earlier Monday, AK Party Vice Chairman Erol Kaya announced Tuna’s candidacy during the party’s group meeting.

Tuna, 60, became a member of parliament from Ankara in 2002 following general elections.

He was also elected mayor of Ankara’s Sincan district after local elections of 2009 and 2014 -- a post he continued to serve until now.

The Ankara mayoral elections came after Ibrahim Melih Gokcek -- the capital’s long-time mayor of 23 years -- stepped down on Oct. 28 after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan requested his resignation.

In recent months, Erdogan has repeatedly called for elements of the party showing “metal fatigue” to stand aside as it prepares for local, presidential and general elections in 2019.