Thread by @sibeledmonds

#Istanbul #Reelection Today- ~6 hrs left to polls closing. High stakes. Hoping for a smooth, Democratic & peaceful process. It will be an intense evening count. I’ll report updates periodically. Reporting on the ground from #Turkey @sibeledmonds

#IstanbulReelection- 39 Districts, 10,560,963 Votes. That’s a lot of votes to count! Down to 2 Mayoral candidates: Ruling Party #AKP candidate Yıldırım vs Main Opposition Party #CHP Candidate İmamoğlu. Polls will close at 5:00 pm here (in ~6 hours).

Over 1/3 of #Turkey’s population lives in #Istanbul. A good chunk of national GDP & many many billion dollars District budget for the elected #Mayor. #AKP lost in mayoral elections of biggest cities: #Ankara, #Izmir & #Antalya, with #Istanbul as the “hottest tamale” TBD today.

I grew up in #Istanbul. Graduated from high school there. Currently in a gorgeous Aegean town of#Fethiye- with around 150K population, majestic mountains, lush forests, sugary beaches, agricultural food-bowl (From olives to orange/lemon/pomegranate & figs), amazing mild climate.

Also must note: as in with #USA, in #Turkey I do not support any parties.Neither a #Democrat or #Republican. No party affiliations in Turkey. 100% Neutral. 100% Nonpartisan. My media company #Newsbud is 100% subscribers- supported. Not a penny from any Gov, .Org or sugar-daddies!

I’ve lived in 7 countries- longest in #USA for 30+ yrs. Also #Turkey, #Vietnam #Australia, #NewZealand #Iran & #Azerbaijan. I have 3 passports & 1more pending (Viet). Have roved 48 countries & not a blind-nationalist. 4 Univ degrees;4 languages.That takes care of my background😉

Why give all the general background? Not to gloat. Just to give a broad view of why when I report you get Independence & objectivity, not taints or spins from biases based on partisanship, blind nationalism or agenda funding. You won’t find any purer than this in any media.

Oops I forgot. Someone just reminded me: I also worked in #Russia for 5 months (1993). I don’t consider that “living” since back then not much to eat and do there other than work, and without food as a main highlight in my life style that ain’t living😂😂😂

During the first #Istanbul election in March, there was this strange (never-explained) several hours time gap during the real-time Vote Count.

1 question sent via DM: “interested in Turkey related geopolitical news. Is there any English-language media outlet in #Turkey you recommend?”. Answer: Unfortunately “NO.” None exists. I end up reading 25-30 analyses/articles from 20+ international sources a day. None here. Yet.

I had high hopes for #Turkey #TRT international (considering huge budget & ambitious goals/mission statement) but it fell flat on its face. The other few with English versions: mostly Gov-Directed (directly or indirectly) and or highly partisan (Tainted).

I mean think about: #Turkey is so important (geopolitical significance)that even #CIA’s #VoiceOfAmerica recently sets up this new #Turkish version to influence things with its agenda. YET, to this day, Turkey has practically done NOTHING to establish a solid multi-lingo int media

Less than 4 hours to polls closure in #IstanbulReelection. The counts and live updates will begin in 6-7 hours. I’ll post updates here via this thread.

Less than 2 hours left- #IstanbulReelection. The count & live updates in 4-5 hours. I’ll post updates here via this thread. Reporting from #Turkey @sibeledmonds

It’s a good thing that the actual election process/voting took place during sleeping-Hours in the #US. #MSM there been quiet, aka no chance to “meddle” in another country’s “local” election. Also, so far everything peaceful & orderly in #Istanbul #Turkey- no “provocation”.

For #IstanbulReelection Facts, Data, Updates & Developments, Counting Process, and the Final Results Keep Checking my Pinned Thread. Reporting from #Turkey @sibeledmonds

I’m armed with 3 X double espresso today ... so far. The day is long from over😉

That makes me not only armed, but also dangerous 😉

So not a good day to mess with me😊

#IstanbulReelection Aha- Western #MSM slowly waking up 😉 Not much time life to add their soundbite. 45 min to closing of the polls. - - - ”BBC News - Istanbul mayoral re-run: Millions vote in election key for Erdogan” bbc.com/news/world-eur…

And Polls in #Istanbul closing in 30 seconds...25, 20, ..., 00! #IstanbulReelection Counting begins shortly. Reporting from #Turkey @sibeledmonds Follow Pinned Thread for all Facts, Updates, Developments, and the RESULT!

So much more interesting & fun to do it with you. In between updates I’ll take questions from you- whether #IstanbulReelection related or not. As long as asked politely😉 Reporting from #Turkey @sibeledmonds

#IstanbulReelection @sibeledmonds: Although this is #Turkey Local Mayoral Re-election there’s so much at stake: with 1/3 of Turkey population, nearly half of national GDP, and what happened in March:This has become a national sign for ruling part #AKP popularity & strength.

Because as you can tell my company here is utterly bored & sedated😊

In less than 2 Hrs we’ll have the numbers start pouring in. #IstanbulReelection Reporting From #Turkey via @sibeledmonds:

When 94F Day I have to sip this: #Turkish #MelonWine from #Şirince (#Aegean Village Near #Izmir). Only slightly Sweet, made with incredible organic melons from the region. In this part of #Turkey, in the last 15-20 years, they have Turkey excelled in the art of wine-making.

Best way to serve Melon or Quince #wine here: Uber-Chilled, thin slice of lemon (from my garden) and a few mint leaves. Yummm. In the last 15-20 years #Turkey has excelled in wine-making. Several medals in#Europe wine completions- both Red & White Wine categories.

Hope to produce several episodes #BridgeTheGap on #Turkey #vineyards, #wineries, #wines. Whether #Cappadocia region or #Aegean or #Mardin: Tons of fabulous boutique wines. And I am sort of an expert on wine😉

#IstanbulReElection Vote Count Begins! Currently Opposition Party #CHP 8 Points ahead! Ruling party #AKP at 45.4, Opposition #CHP at 53.7!

Last time the end Difference was only around ~25K for #CHP (Opposition Party). Right now the difference is nearly ~1 Million votes ahead. #IstanbulReElections Reporting From #Turkey via @sibeledmonds

98.7% votes counted in #IstanbulReElections. Opposition Party #CHP ahead with nearly 9 points at 54%. Ruling Party #AKP at 45%. About 800,000 votes difference. This is a Done Deal! #CHP is a definitive big winner. A major loss for #AKP

Here comes #NYT on the results. #IstanbulReElection Reporting From #Turkey - - - “Turkey’s President Looks Headed for Stinging Defeat in Istanbul Election Redo” nyti.ms/2ZF7vj1

It is OVER. #Turkey Opposition Party #CHP Wins by nearly 800,000 Votes with 54%. Ruling Party #AKP loses with 45%. With 99.2% of votes all counted.

This is a major victory in showing the world that #Turkey #Democracy, despite bumps and obstacles here and there, still hold; still true. After everything said and done: Democratic Process proved to be live & kicking. Now take a look at other #USA so-Called Allies in Mid East!!!

Look at it. Just Take a look at the current dear #USA Allies in the #MiddleEast & Beyond. Then ask yourself why it has been, nonstop, singling out #Turkey. Hypocrisy Galore? Yes, indeed!!!

With that,let the inhabitants of each sovereign nation make their own decisions- do what they deem right. #USA stop meddling in other nations’ affairs in the name of #Democracy. Your version is: #Libya #Egypt #Iraq #Afghanistan-everywhere you’ve destroyed in the name of “Freedom

And with that time for my dinner. 😉

By @ragipsoylu : “Istanbul election: Imamoglu on course for big win as AKP’s Yildirim concedes” middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-is… via @MiddleEastEye

Tomorrow morning my 50-day old #Turkey #S400 #Russia #F35 thread will be back as Pinned. With #IstanbulReelection over that will be the “Real” topic with “Real” deals & conclusions around the corner 😉