Turkey holds local elections in key cities in test of Erdogan’s popularity

The vote is a key barometer of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s popularity (Francisco Seco/AP)

Turkey is holding local elections that will decide who gets to control Istanbul and other key cities.

The vote is also a barometer of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s popularity as he seeks to win back control of key urban areas he lost to the opposition five years ago.