Turkey held local elections this past Sunday - these elections happen every five years and account for thousands of mayors and councilors across the country. But President Erdogan’s party, the AKP, was defeated in some of Turkey’s largest cities. What do these losses mean for Turkey? And why are these elections important? Phil and Cooper speak with Al-Monitor Turkey Pulse contributor Ayla Jean Yackley about the results and their implications.

• How Turkey's local elections mark rebuke for Erdogan's one-man rule (ALM Intel)
• Turkey's ruling AKP loses Ankara, Istanbul as opposition springs to life (Amberin Zaman)
• Turkey’s milestone elections shatter Erdogan’s air of invincibility (Cengiz Candar)
  
• Erdogan’s government in panic over risk of electoral defeats (Kadri Gursel)
• Turkey’s army of jobless swelling to record level (Mustafa Sonmez)
  
  

Extra Listening:

• Episode #79, Mr. 4000 (12/5/2018): Ayla Jean Yackley speaks with Phil and Cooper about Turkey’s economic troubles and how it relates to the 2019 local elections.

Music: Ayben - “Bilene Sor” (Spotify | Apple Music)