Although the AK Party challenged the results and forced recounts in several districts, they were unable to overturn Yavaş's majority.

On 27 November 2018, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) announced their metropolitan mayoral candidate to be Mehmet Özhaseki, the former mayor of Kayseri and former Minister of Environment and Urban Planning.

[1] Due to the People's Alliance agreement, Özhaseki has the support of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

[2] Yavaş had narrowly lost the previous election to AKP candidate Melih Gökçek despite accusations of widespread electoral fraud, with many commentators arguing that Yavaş was the true winner of the election.

Yavaş has the support of the Good Party and declared himself to be the 'Nation Alliance candidate'.