Russian national applies to run in Turkey elections

By Mustafa Kurt

ANTALYA, Turkey

A Russian national on Wednesday applied to run as an independent mayoral candidate in the upcoming local elections slated on March 31 in Turkey.

Anastasia Petrova Cetinkaya, 35, will run from Alanya district of Turkey’s Mediterranean province Antalya.

Cetinkaya said she received positive reactions for her candidacy and her campaign was very intense.

"We can make Alanya richer and a much efficient district," said Cetinkaya. "We believe that Alanya has the potential."

Cetinkaya came to Alanya in 2010 and became a Turkish citizen in 2018.

Along with metropolitan, provincial and district mayors, voters will also elect municipal council members in cities and -- in rural areas -- mukhtars and members of elder councils March 31.

The last local elections were held March 30, 2014, which saw Justice and Development (AK) Party clinch more than 45.5 percent of the vote.