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Turkish PM's party slips in polls Turkish PM's party slips in polls
(2 days later)
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's party has won local elections by a wide majority - but nevertheless suffered a significant fall in support.Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's party has won local elections by a wide majority - but nevertheless suffered a significant fall in support.
The Justice and Development Party (AKP) won about 39% of the vote, according to unconfirmed results - down from the 47% general election landslide of 2007.The Justice and Development Party (AKP) won about 39% of the vote, according to unconfirmed results - down from the 47% general election landslide of 2007.
"This is a message from the people and we will take the necessary lessons," said a sombre Mr Erdogan."This is a message from the people and we will take the necessary lessons," said a sombre Mr Erdogan.
At least five people were reportedly killed in election-related violence.At least five people were reportedly killed in election-related violence.
The deaths came in the predominantly Kurdish east of the country, as supporters of rival candidates for a non-party position of village chief fought armed battles.The deaths came in the predominantly Kurdish east of the country, as supporters of rival candidates for a non-party position of village chief fought armed battles.
Lost groundLost ground
In Sunday's elections, the governing AKP lost ground to both secularist and Kurdish rivals, who had focused on growing economic difficulties and corruption allegations. In Sunday's elections, the governing AKP lost ground to both opposition and Kurdish rivals, who had focused on growing economic difficulties and corruption allegations.
The AKP has consolidated its position at the centre of politics and shown once again that it is a party that embraces all sections of society Recep Tayyip ErdoganTurkish Prime MinisterThe AKP has consolidated its position at the centre of politics and shown once again that it is a party that embraces all sections of society Recep Tayyip ErdoganTurkish Prime Minister
Secularist parties made inroads into AKP support in both Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, and the capital, Ankara.Secularist parties made inroads into AKP support in both Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, and the capital, Ankara.
Meanwhile, the AKP was well beaten in Diyarbakir, the largest city in the country's Kurdish-dominated south-east, by the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party, and in Izmir by the Republican People's Party (CHP).Meanwhile, the AKP was well beaten in Diyarbakir, the largest city in the country's Kurdish-dominated south-east, by the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party, and in Izmir by the Republican People's Party (CHP).
Across the country, the CHP took 20% of the vote, while the Nationalist Action Party was in third place with 17%, state television reported. Across the country, the CHP took 23% of the vote, while the Nationalist Action Party was in third place with 17%.
While this was a local election it felt like a national one, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul, and almost every street was festooned with party flags and posters.While this was a local election it felt like a national one, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul, and almost every street was festooned with party flags and posters.
Party leaders - especially Mr Erdogan - had been touring the country for several weeks, staging mass political rallies.Party leaders - especially Mr Erdogan - had been touring the country for several weeks, staging mass political rallies.
Warning to ErdoganWarning to Erdogan
The prime minister had boasted that his party would surpass the 47% share of the vote it gained in 2007, but instead suffered its first fall in support since sweeping to power in 2002, our correspondent says.The prime minister had boasted that his party would surpass the 47% share of the vote it gained in 2007, but instead suffered its first fall in support since sweeping to power in 2002, our correspondent says.
Afterwards, Mr Erdogan insisted that the AKP had "consolidated its position at the centre of politics and shown once again that it is a party that embraces all sections of society".Afterwards, Mr Erdogan insisted that the AKP had "consolidated its position at the centre of politics and shown once again that it is a party that embraces all sections of society".
But the result will be widely seen as a warning to the prime minister over what has been perceived as his increasingly autocratic style, our correspondent adds.But the result will be widely seen as a warning to the prime minister over what has been perceived as his increasingly autocratic style, our correspondent adds.
The government had hoped that a strong result would allow it to re-focus attention on democratic reforms.The government had hoped that a strong result would allow it to re-focus attention on democratic reforms.
It is also expected to conclude talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a multi-billion dollar loan to help Turkey weather the economic crisis.It is also expected to conclude talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a multi-billion dollar loan to help Turkey weather the economic crisis.