Erdogan faces key test in local election

Turkey's Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, embattled by protests and corruption scandals, faces a crucial popularity test on Sunday when over 50 million eligible voters cast their ballots in local elections. Hailed as the "sultan" by his loyal followers and labelled a "dictator" by his bitter foes, Erdogan has campaigned for weeks alongside mayoral candidates, turning the vote into a referendum on his 11-year-rule. The outcome -- especially in the megacity Istanbul and capital Ankara -- will impact his future as he eyes a run for the presidency in August, or changing party rules to seek a fourth term as prime minister next year. The past 10 months have spelled crisis for Erdogan, a leader long hailed at home and abroad for driving economic growth and turning the country spanning Europe and Asia into an emerging global player, according to AFP.