Ekrem Imamoglu, the candidate of the opposition Peoples’ Republican Party (CHP), won the re-run election despite Erdogan’s effort to win the support of the Kurds in Istanbul. Erdogan let Ocalan’s lawyers to meet him after years. He hoped the Kurds would welcome the move and would vote for his candidate, Binali Yildirim.

What follows is Sirkeci’s, a professor at Regent’s University London,

answers to Kurdpress questions about the election and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) move ahead of the polls;

It seems that defeating Erdogan and AKP in the rerun elections will have some consequences, what will be the consequences?

The biggest consequence is the return of courage. People do not feel obliged anymore. Erdogan's party is likely to collapse in the next general elections. This means Turkey may move towards more progressive politics in a few years’ time.

Turks believe that the one who is the mayor of the Istanbul, will be the next top official in this country. is Imamoglu the next president of Turkey?

Imamoglu denies it but surely it is anybody's ambition. He would cut through and become the next premier in Turkey. He is embracing the mainstream well and this is what you need to win.

Erdogan tried to use Kurds and Ocalan for victory over the opposition in this election but he couldn't, why?

He tried everything but the Kurdish move was not in line with his party politics and people did not buy it. Most Kurds are aware of Ocalan's circumstances and they love Demirtas. They did not buy a third party's service.

Why Ocalan told Turkey Kurds to be neutral in the Istanbul election?

Nobody is sure that he really meant Kurds should abstain and they did not. If it was true he might have thought of a potential bargain with AKP but seems unlikely.

Kurds helped the opposition to win the elections, what can the opposition and especially CHP do for Kurds in return?

I think this re-run allowed some dialogue to begin with and both parties now more open to the idea of working together. However, nobody should expect a miracle. The fight is protracted so the peace will take long time too.

Reporter’s code: 50101